FREQUENCY-DISTRIBUTION OF HYMENOLEPIS-DIMINUTA CYSTICERCOIDS IN NATURAL, SYMPATRIC POPULATIONS OF TENEBRIO-MOLITOR AND TENEBRIO-OBSCURUS

Rau M. E. 1979. The frequency distribution of Hymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids in natural, sympatric populations of Tenebrio molitor and T. obscurus. International Journal for Parasitology 9: 85-87. Natural, sympatric populations of Tenebrio molitor and T. obscurus were examined for cysticercoids of Hymemlepis diminuta. The distribution of cysticeroids in both species and both sexes conformed to the negative binomial. Cysticeroids were more prevalent and the mean intensity of infection was higher in T. obscurus than in T. molitor. No differences in the intensity of infection were detected between the sexes. Larvae of both beetle species were always very lightly infected. The significance of these factors in the transmission of the infection to the rat definitive host is discussed. © 1979.