Do female heartworms lay eggs?

Do female heartworms lay eggs?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Sometimes
• D. Only after mating

Answer: (B)

Heartworms reproduce by releasing microfilariae into the host’s bloodstream, not by laying eggs. The adult female produces these microfilariae, which circulate and are taken up by feeding mosquitoes to continue the cycle. Since the offspring are microfilariae (larval stages) rather than eggs, the correct answer is no. This is why mosquitoes are the transmission link—their role is to pick up microfilariae and further develop them to the next infectious stage.

Heartworms reproduce by releasing microfilariae into the host’s bloodstream, not by laying eggs. The adult female produces these microfilariae, which circulate and are taken up by feeding mosquitoes to continue the cycle. Since the offspring are microfilariae (larval stages) rather than eggs, the correct answer is no. This is why mosquitoes are the transmission link—their role is to pick up microfilariae and further develop them to the next infectious stage.