Wohlfahrtia magnifica

Wohlfahrtia magnifica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Sarcophagidae
Genus: Wohlfahrtia
Species: W. magnifica
Binomial name
Wohlfahrtia magnifica
(Schiner, 1862)
Synonyms
  • Sarcophila magnifica Schiner, 1862

Wohlfahrtia magnifica, the spotted flesh fly, or sometimes called the screwworm fly, though species of flies from other families go by this name. It is a species of fly belonging to the family Sarcophagidae . The adults are about 6–10 mm in length;[1] third-instar larvae are 5-7 mm in length.

Myiasis

W. magnifica larvae cause myiasis in mammals, mainly in sheep, but also in cattle, goats, horses, and rarely in humans. In sheep, larvae chiefly infest genitalia or open wounds. In humans, W. magnifica larvae may infest the ear, eye, mouth,[2] or nose, damaging living tissues;[1] they may also infest open wounds, including after surgery.

Distribution

W. magnifica is found in southern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and China.[3] Their range is increasing, believed to be because of spread of intensive sheep rearing.

Similar species

The larvae of the North American species, W. vigil and W. opaca, are incapable of penetrating adult skin; infestation occurs only in infants.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 West, Anna M. "Myiasis". Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  2. BÜYÜKKURT, Mustafa Cemil , MD.; et al. (2008). "Oral Myiasis in A Child Due to Wohlfahrtia Magnifica" (PDF). Turkiye Klinikleri J Med Sci. 28: 782–785. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
  3. Ruis Martinz, I. Leclercq, M (1994). "Data on distribution of screwworm fly Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner) in Southwestern Europe (Diptera:Sarcophagidae)" (PDF). Notes fauniques de Gemblous. 28: 53–60. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/7/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.