Filarioidea

Filarioidea /filar′ē·oi′dē·ə/ [L, filum, thread + Gk, eidos, form] , the filariae, a superfamily or order of nematode parasites, the adults being threadlike worms that invade the tissues and body cavities where the female deposits embryonated eggs (prelarvae) known as microfilariae. These microfilariae are ingested by blood-sucking insects in whom they pass their developmental stage and are returned to humans when the insects bite. Genera infecting humans include Brugia, Loa, Mansonella, Onchocerca, and Wuchereria.