Parasitic Collection (#19)

Downy mildew infection, light micrograph
Downy mildew infection. Light micrograph of a section through a grapevine (Vitis sp.) leaf infected with downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola)

Head of a human flea, light micrograph

Hollyhock rust fungus in a leaf. Light micrograph of a section through a hollyhock (Alcea sp.) leaf infected with the parasitic Puccinia malvacearum rust, showing the teliospores (spores)

Clubroot infection, light micrograph
Clubroot infection. Light micrograph a section through a cabbage root infected with clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae). Plasmodiophora is a parasitic protist that infects the roots of cabbages

Chicken mite, light micrograph

Tapeworm head, SEM
Tapeworm head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of the head (scolex) of a tapeworm (Taenia pisiformis), showing the hooks used to attach to the host animals digestive tract

Macrophage attacking a foreign body, SEM
Macrophage attacking a foreign body. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a macrophage white blood cell (round, left) engulfing a Leishmania mexicana protozoan parasite (long, right)

Cistanche phelypaea flowering on salt marshes in a Algarve, Portugal. This plant is a parasite on Chenopdiaceae

Teloschistes chrysophthalmus
Golden eye lichen (Teloschistes chrysophthalmus) growing on blackthorn. This is extremely rare in UK, formerly thought to be extinct

Laetiporus sulphureus
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) growing on an oak (Quercus) tree

Cytinus hypocistis flowering in Algarve, Portugal. This is an ant pollinated root parasite of Cistus species

Naked Broomrape (Orobanche uniflora), also known as One-flowered Broomrape, flowering in Waterton, Canada. This plant is parasitic on Round-leaved Alumroot

Lichens on Blackthorn
Golden eye lichen (Teloschistes chrysophthalmus) and Physcias growing on blackthorn in unpolluted, humid conditions in Brittany, France

Hoof fungus (Fomitopsis pinicola)
A hoof fungus (Fomitopsis pinicola) growing on a tree stump in Georgia, USA

Malaria life-cycle, artwork
Malaria life-cycle. Computer artwork showing the life-cycle and transmission of malaria parasites. Anticlockwise from upper left: A mosquito bites and infects a person

Amphipods inside a hydromedusa. Small crustaceans (Hyperia galba) inside the domed body of a hydromedusa (Sarsia tubulosa). Hydromedusae are the sexually reproductive stage of hydrozoan cnidarians

Amphipod. This small crustacean (Hyperia galba) is a parasite of jellyfish. Photographed in the White Sea, Russia

Amphipods inside a moon jellyfish
Amphipods inside a jellyfish. Small crustaceans (Hyperia galba) inside the domed body of a moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

Amphipod inside a moon jellyfish
Amphipod inside a jellyfish. Small crustacean (Hyperia galba) inside the domed body of a moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita). This jellyfish, also known as the common jellyfish

Amphipod head. This small crustacean (Hyperia galba) is a parasite of jellyfish. Photographed in the White Sea, Russia

Monitor lizard tick (Amblyomma exornatum, formerly Aponomma exornatum). This tick is native to Africa, where, as the name suggests, it is mainly a parasite of monitor lizards

Seal louse, SEM
Seal louse (Echinophthirius horridus), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This ectoparasite (external parasite) feeds on the blood of seals, but only when the seals are on land

Hyobanche sanguinea, a parasitic plant, growing in Namaqualand, South Africa

Female lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). This tick is found through the southeast and south-central United States. It is the vector for the spirochete bacteria Borrelia lonestari

Male yellow dog tick (Amblyomma aureolatum). This tick is the vector for the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii in Brazil. Rickettsia rickettsii, causes the often fatal Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF)

Threadworm, SEM
Threadworm. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a thread worm (Enterobius sp.). This is a nematode worm that is a parasite of the small intestines of numerous animals

Cottony cushion scale bugs. Cluster of cottony cushion scale (Icerya purchasi) bugs and their egg cases on a lemon tree. Photographed in Italy

Coloured Mistletoe (Viscum coloratum) berries

Malaria infection, artwork
Malaria infection. Computer artwork of a macrophage white blood cell (right) extending pseudopodia towards a red blood cell (left) infected with the Plasmodium fulciparum malaria parasite

Head louse, SEM
Head louse. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) clinging to a human hair. Head lice measure 2-3 millimetres in length

Bedbug, SEM
Bedbug. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the underside of a bedbug (Cimex sp.). Adult bedbugs bodies are flattened, oval, and wingless

Honey bee mites, SEM
Honey bee mites. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of bee mites (Varroa sp.) on the body of a bee. Varroa are parasitic mites that attack honey bees (Apis sp.)

Bedbug head, SEM
Bedbug head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a bedbug (Cimex sp.). Antennae are seen at top, with compound eyes (purple) at the sides of its head

Bracket fungus (Laetiporus sulphureus)
Bracket fungus. Young sulphur-coloured fruiting body of the edible bracket fungus known as the chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus), growing on a living willow tree

Bracket fungus (Daedaleopsis confragosa)
Blushing bracket fungus (Daedaleopsis confragosa). Close-up of the underside of the blushing bracket fungus showing its pores. The pores are the ends of the tubes within which the spores are produced

Bracket fungus (Polyporus squamosus)
Bracket fungus. Dryads saddle (Polyporus squamosus) bracket fungus on a tree

Orobanche minor and Trifolium
Flowers of Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor) with its host plant, Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum). Photographed in France

Lathraea clandestina
Flowers of Purple toothwort (Lathraea clandestina) which is a parasitic on Poplars and other trees. Photographed in the Spring in France

Thyme Broomrape (Orobanche alba) flowers, a parasitic plant on the dead nettle family. Photographed in Greece

Alder bead galls on a black alder (Alnus glutinosa) leaf. These galls are caused by the alder gall mite (Phytoptus laevis)

Aphid galls
Apid galls on a Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra Italica) leaf. The two galls are caused by two different species of aphid. The gall on the leaf stalk is caused by Pemphigus spyrothecae

Pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea )
Pinedrop (Pterospora andromedea ) flowers on a pine forest floor. Photographed in Oregon, USA

Head and thorax of a cat flea, SEM
Head and thorax (upper body) of a cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The head (upper right)

Gall on a yew bud
Artichoke gall on a yew bud (Taxus sp.). The rounded structure on the end of a branch (lower right) is caused by a gall fly (Taxomyia taxi). Photographed in England

Leaf gall on alder leaves
Leaf gall (light green spots) on the leaves of an alder tree (Alnus sp.). This leaf damage has been caused by the mite Eriophyes laevis. Photographed in Dorset, England

Rust fungus infection, light micrograph. Transverse section through a barberry (Berberis sp.) leaf infected by a parasitic rust (Puccinia sp.)

Pinedrop (Pterospora andromedea ) flowers. Photographed in Oregon, USA

Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) flowers. This plant is parasitic on the roots of trees including hazel (Corylus sp.), alder (Alnus sp.) and maple (Acer sp.)

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"Exploring the Intricate World Creatures: From Gastrointestinal Nematodes to Eyelash Mites" Delving into the hidden realm of parasites, we encounter gastrointestinal nematodes, microscopic worms that reside in the intestines of various animals. Behold the intricate head structure of a dog tapeworm under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing its remarkable adaptation for survival within its host. Zooming in even closer, SEM unveils the minuscule world of a head louse, showcasing its gripping claws and needle-like mouthparts used for feeding on human blood. Meet the sheep tick, an arachnid parasite found in grassy landscapes; SEM allows us to appreciate its formidable appendages designed for clinging onto hosts like sheep or deer. In our own eyelashes lies an unexpected inhabitant – the eyelash mite. SEM captures their tiny bodies and long tails as they navigate through this often overlooked ecosystem. Journeying deep into Sri Lanka's lush jungles reveals a diverse array organisms coexisting with their hosts amidst nature's beauty and complexity. Witnessing a female mosquito's internal anatomy while sucking blood from human skin through cross-section imagery sheds light on these pesky yet fascinating disease vectors. An illustrated depiction showcases the life cycle and morphology of tapeworms, highlighting their ability to adapt across different host species throughout their complex lifecycle. Examining eyelash mite tails under SEM unravels further mysteries about these elusive creatures that call our lashes home – truly captivating microcosms within ourselves. Venturing underwater brings us face-to-face with sea lampreys; whether it be Petromyzon marinus or other species like lamperns and silver lampreys - these jawless fish are notorious parasites known for attaching themselves to larger marine animals.