Light micrograph of hemolymph sampled from Helicosporidium spp.-infected Spodoptera exigua larvae 48 hours after cyst ingestion. Two hemocytes, one containing a bean-shaped vegetative cell.

Light micrograph of hemolymph sampled from Helicosporidium spp.-infected Spodoptera exigua larvae 48 hours after cyst ingestion. A quartet of early vegetative cells within a hemocyte.

Light micrograph of hemolymph sampled from Helicosporidium spp.-infected Spodoptera exigua larvae 48 hours after cyst ingestion. Clustered hemocytes containing vegetative cells (black arrows) and the remnants of a filament (white arrow). Note the cell division within the filamentous cell.

Vegetative growth

Light micrograph of hemolymph sampled from Helicosporidium spp.-infected Spodoptera exigua larvae 72 hours after cyst ingestion. Two hemocytes, one containing an octet of vegetative cells and displaying cytopathic effects, the other containing a bean-shaped vegetative cell.

Light micrograph of hemolymph sampled from Helicosporidium spp.-infected Spodoptera exigua larvae 72 hours after cyst ingestion. Hemocytes releasing vegetative cells.