Development of the bovine eyeworm, Thelazia gulosa (Railliet and Henry), in experimentally infected, female Musca autumnalis de Geer.

Development of the eyeworm Thelazia gulosa was observed in experimentally infected, female face flies (Musca autumnalis). Following removal from bovine eyes obtained from local abatoirs, adult nematodes were dissected and larval parasites were fed to restrained, 5- to 7-day-old flies which had been starved for 12 hr. Larvae penetrated the midgut of the flies 1 to 4 hr postinoculation (= PI). On day 3 PI, all live larvae were found in capsules attached to the abdominal body wall. No development was observed in unencapsulated larvae. Measurements of parasites on each of days 3,6 and 9 PI are presented. Development to the third-stage larva was completed by day 9.