INSECTS: Diptera - Gasterophiliidae spp.

Question 1

What is the common name for Gastrophilus spp.?

Answer 1

Bot fly larvae, Bot fly

Question 2

Who is the host for Gastrophilus?

Answer 2

Horses

Question 3

What species of Gastrophilus is associated with the following characteristics:

• Eggs hatch when licked, as laid near lips/ tongue, forelimb, and shoulder (to 1^st instar)
• Crawl into the oral cavity (1^st to 2^nd instar), being swallowed
• Develop into a 3^rd instar in non-glandular part of the stomach and cardia (reside for a year)
• Pass in feces, and pupate to become adults

Answer 3

G. intestinalis

Question 4

What species of Gastrophilus is associated with the following characteristics:

• Eggs laid on intermandibular spaces, and hatch spontaneously (to 1st instar)
• Crawl into the oral cavity (1st to 2nd instar), being swallowed
• Develop into a 3rd instar around pylorus and duodenum (reside for a year)
• Pass in feces, and pupate to become adults

Answer 4

G. nasalis

Question 5

What pathogenesis is associated with Gastrophilus infestations?

Answer 5

Inflammatory reactions, general annoyance

Question 6

What treatments can be used for Gastrophilus infestations?

Answer 6

Endoparasiticides, and manual removal of eggs