Onchocerca - Cattle
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This article is still under construction. |
| Oncocerca spp. | |
|---|---|
| Class | Nematoda |
| Super-family | Filarioidea |
Onchocerca gutturosa
| Also known as: | Onchocera lienalis Ligamentary onchocercosis |
Hosts
Intermediate hosts: Blackflies.
Definitive hosts: Cattle
Identification
O. gutturosa are thin, white worms. The females are capable of growing up to 60cm in length. The males are considerably smaller at around 4cm in length.
Life Cycle
Microfilariae are found on the surface of the host. Blackflies feed and ingest the microfilariae. These develop and mature into L3 larvae. The blackflies then feed on another host, which becomes infected.
- Filarial nematode (white thread-like, <6cm long)
- Found in ligamentum nuchae and gastrosplenic ligament (UK), skin and muscle (overseas)
- Indirect life cycle (intermediate hosts: black fly, ‘’Simulium’’ species and biting midge, ‘’Culicoides’’ species)
- Little or no significance (UK); subcutaneous and intramuscular nodules may cause economic loss due to carcass trimming (overseas).