TRANSMISSION OF LEUCOCYTOZOON BONASAE CLARKE TO RUFFED GROUSE (BONASA UMBELLUS L.) BY THE BLACK FLIES SIMULIUM LATIPES MG. AND SIMULIUM AUREUM FRIES

Abstract

Specimens of Simulium aureum, S. latipes, S. venustum, and S. rugglesi feed on ruffed grouse although relatively few engorged specimens of the two latter species were obtained. S. aureum and S. latipes are suitable hosts for Leucocytozoon bonasae as shown by infections produced in grouse following injections of sporozoites removed from the salivary glands of these flies. The parasitaemia in grouse infected naturally and experimentally was relatively low and no gross signs of disease were noted in any of the infected birds.