Parasite of the Week: Thelazia callipaeda - “eyeworm”
The adult nematodes reside inside the conjunctival sacs and tear ducts of canid and felid hosts. The adult female lays eggs which are shed in lachrymal secretions, and subsequently ingested by flies that feed on tears. Larvae develop within the fly vector, and migrate out of the proboscis and into the eye of another host during feeding. Humans are incidental hosts; about 250 zoonotic cases have been recognized.
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Should I make “Parasite of the Week” a thing?
Oh my god, I’m in LOVE
O_o
Or more accurately
Θ_o
(Source: secernentea, via nemertea)
