Aedes albopictus
larvae were exposed, either individually or in groups, to different concentrations
of xiphidiocercariae of
Haematoloechus
sp. for parasitological studies. It was observed the acute lethal effect
and some aspects of the host-parasite relationship, such as delay or progress
in the host life cycle, the number and location of the metacercariae in
the host, adult host malformations and the amount of metacercariae required
to cause death. A delay in the cycle and a high mortality rate was in general
observed. Inside the larvae, the metacercariae were found predominantly
in the thorax, abdominal segments and in the head, along with a reduced
number in the anal lobe and cervix. It was shown that in addition to the
quantity of metacercariae present, their location in the larvae was also
relevant in the determination of mortality and anomalies. Malformed adults
developed from larvae containing from one to three metacercariae.
