ABSTRACT:We captured 36 Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in Mitchell County, Texas in June-September 2013, and examined them for the eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi. We recovered 334 eyeworms from 28 of 29 adult bobwhites (97%); infections ranged from 1-40 worms and mean (6SD) abundance of 11.9613.0. Three of seven juveniles were infected, and those infected had one eyeworm each. Prevalence of eyeworms was similar among months. However, mean abundance of eyeworms peaked in July and August (3.362.1, 13.5615.0, and 16.9615.5), and decreased in September (6.363.0). We suggest that several previous studies may underreport prevalence and abundance because in those studies only the eye surface and nictitating membrane were examined, and not eye-associated tissue, ducts, glands, or sinuses.

Northern bobwhite ( Colinus virginianus ) have experienced a dramatic decline in West Texas over the last 3 yr, and investigations are underway to evaluate the role of parasites in this decline. One of the key parasites being investigated is the eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi). Live eyeworms were extracted from both live and dead northern bobwhites, and in vitro survival was tested using 10 liquid media. Eyeworms placed in an egg white and physiological saline solution lived for at least 36 days. Live O. petrowi placed into the eyes of uninfected pen-raised bobwhites were monitored for 21 days to demonstrate successful transfer. Eyeworm behavior during feeding, mating, and development were monitored. This study is important to research that requires "banking" of live O. petrowi from wild-captured definitive hosts for life history studies and assessing the impact of O. petrowi on host individuals.

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