Black fly egg, light micrograph. This small fly (Simulium damnosum) spreads river blindness. It reproduces by laying eggs in fast-flowing river water,

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Black fly egg, light micrograph. This small fly (Simulium damnosum) spreads river blindness. It reproduces by laying eggs in fast-flowing river water, hence the common name for the disease. Each egg hatches out a larva that eventually forms a pupa and the winged adult fly emerges 8-12 days after the eggs are laid. The adult fly spreads the microscopic filarial stage of the parasitic worm that causes river blindness. The adult parasitic worms live in humans, producing the microfilariae that blind people. S. damnosum is found in Western Africa. This specimen is from Ghana. Magnification unknown.

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Size: 5186px × 3382px
Photo credit: © SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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