Exam II - Cochliomyia hominivorax

Question 1

The infestation of living animals with the **larvae **of dipteran flies is known as:

Answer 1

Myiasis

Question 2

What is the common name for Cochliomyia hominovorax?

Answer 2

screwworm

Question 3

What is/are the host(s) for Cochliomyia hominovorax?

Answer 3

livestock

Question 4

Describe the appearance of the Cochliomyia hominovorax adult

Answer 4

Adults are 10 mm long, metallic bluish green flies with longitudinal stripes on thorax and orange brown eyes

Question 5

Describe the life cycle of Cochliomyia hominovorax

Answer 5

Adult females deposit eggs on fresh, uninfected wounds on host. Eggs hatch to larvae and feed invasively on living tissue (myiasis). After completing development, larvae fall to the ground and pupate. Adult flies emerge several weeks later.

Females mate once.

Question 6

What is/are the site(s) of infection for Cochliomyia hominovorax?

Answer 6

eggs laid on body opening or edges of fresh, uninfected wounds

Question 7

Describe any pathogenesis & clinical signs associated with Cochliomyia hominovorax

Answer 7

• wounds attract female flies
• causes “blowfly strike”
• foul smelling lesion
• rapidly leads to death of host

Question 8

How would you diagnose Cochliomyia hominovorax?

Answer 8

Recognition of maggots in lesions is KEY. Larvae should be collected in 70% alcohol and sent in to veterinary authorities