Cochliomyia hominivorax (1)

Question 1

What are the hosts?

Answer 1

Any animal

Question 2

Describe adults

Answer 2

10 mm long

Metallic blue-green

Longitudinal stripes on thorax

Orange eyes

Question 3

Describe third instars

Answer 3

Darkly pigmented tracheal trunks projecting anteriorly from spiracles

Question 4

Explain life cycle

Answer 4

Adult female deposits eggs on fresh, uninfected wounds on hosts

Eggs hatch to larvae

Larvae feed invasively on living tissue

Larvae fall to the ground to pupate

Adults emerge several weeks later

Females mate once

Question 5

What is the site of infestation?

Answer 5

Opening or edges of fresh, uninfected wound where eggs can be laid

Question 6

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 6

“Blowfly strike”; serious - can rapidly lead to death of host

 - "Blowfly strike" - animals being effected by blowfly larvae
        - "Blow" - laying of eggs
        - "Strike" - development of larvae and damage caused

Larvae penetrate tissues, create foul smelling lesions

Attract fly:

 - Docking/castrating wounds
 - Wire cuts
 - Navels of newborn animals
 - Tick bite wounds
 - Shear cuts
 - Needle grass wounds
 - Fresh brands

Question 7

How do you diagnose?

Answer 7

Recognition of maggots in lesions

Larvae should be collected in 70% alcohol
- Submitted to federal/state veterinary authorities

Question 8

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 8

Screwworm myiasis eradicated from USA, Caribbean, Central America

Reintroduction always possible

Treat wounds

Release sterile males

Question 9

What are the common names?

Answer 9

Blow fly

New world screwworm