Botflies
Botflies, the Oestridae, are a family of flies consisting of about 150 known species. Botfly larvae are internal parasites of mammals — some botfly species grow in the host's flesh and others grow in the gut. Myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis often afflicts people who are residents or visitors in the tropical regions of the Americas.
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Quotes
[edit]- The nasal botfly Oestrus ovis (Diptera, Cyclorrhapha: Oestridae) is a myiasis-causing insect species, which affects the health of sheep, goats and humans. Gravid females are viviparous and larviposit into the animal’s nostrils. Host-searching and larvipositing flies are visually guided and influenced by climatic conditions, whereas olfaction seemed to play no role in this process. However, here, we show that the antennae of adult O. ovis female flies are relatively small but well developed and inhabited by several types of olfactory sensilla. Further, we show that the antennal lobes of this species receive input from antennal afferents and consist of a clearly defined glomerular organisation. We also give the first evidence of the fly’s ability to detect several synthetic odour compounds.
- Simone Poddighe, Teun Dekker, Antonio Scala, and Anna Maria Angioy, (2010). "Olfaction in the female sheep botfly". Naturwissenschaften 97: 827-835. DOI:10.1007/s00114-010-0700-0.
- Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, is native to Tropical America. As such, cutaneous infestation by its developing larvae, or myiasis, is quite common in this region. The distinct dermatological presentation of D hominis myiasis allows for its early recognition and noninvasive treatment by locals. However, it can prove quite perplexing for those unfamiliar with the lesion's unique appearance. Common erroneous diagnoses include the following: folliculitis, benign dermatocyst, and embedded foreign body with localized infection.
- Mina Shenouda, Garrett Enten, Thanh Nguyen, Devanand Mangar, and Enrico Camporesi, (2018). "Human botfly: a case report and overview of differential diagnosis". Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports 6. DOI:10.1177/2324709618801692.
- ... the way mosquitoes serve botflies in Central and South America. The size of a bumblebee, the fly seizes a mosquito in midair and glues her own eggs to her captive's abdomen. Later, when the mosquito feeds on a person, the damp warmth of human skin causes the fly's eggs to hatch, leaving maggots to burrow into the new host. Soon, the maggot's breathing apparatus can be seen poking through the victim's skin. Within a week, it's as large as a small olive.
- Andrew Spielman (with Michael D'Antonio), "Preface". Mosquito: The Story of Man's Deadliest Foe. Hachette Books. August 2001. ISBN 978-0-7868-7182-7.
