| Dermatobia hominis | |
|---|---|
| Adult female human botfly | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Oestridae |
| Subfamily: | Cuterebrinae |
| Genus: | Dermatobia |
| Species: | D. hominis |
| Binomial name | |
| Dermatobia hominis (Linnaeus Jr in Pallas, 1781) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Oestrus hominisLinnaeus Jr in Pallas, 1781 |
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The human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, (Greek δέρμα, skin + βίος, life, and Latin hominis, of a human) is one of several species of fly the larvae of which parasitise humans (in addition to a wide range of other animals, including other primates[1]). It is also known as the torsalo or American warble fly,[1] even though the warble fly is in the genus Hypoderma and not Dermatobia and is a parasite on cattle and deer instead of humans.
Dermatobia fly eggs have been shown to be vectored by over 40 species of mosquitoes and muscoid flies, as well as one species of tick;[2] the female captures the mosquito and attaches its eggs to its body, then releases it. Either the eggs hatch while the mosquito is feeding and the larvae use the mosquito bite area as the entry point, or the eggs simply drop off the muscoid fly when it lands on the skin. The larvae develop inside the subcutaneous layers, and after approximately eight weeks, they drop out to pupate for at least a week, typically in the soil. The adults are small gray flies resembling a blowfly.
This species is native to the Americas from Mexico to northern Argentina and Chile,[1] though it is not abundant enough (nor harmful enough) ever to attain true pest status. Since the fly larvae can survive the entire eight-week development only if the wound does not become infected, it is rare for patients to experience infections unless they kill the larva without removing it completely. It is even possible that the fly larva may itself produce antibiotic secretions that help prevent infection while it is feeding.
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Recently, physicians have discovered that venom extractor syringes can remove larvae with ease at any stage of growth. As these devices are a common component of first-aid kits to deal with snakebites, this is an effective and easily accessible solution.[3]
A larva has been successfully removed by first applying several coats of nail polish to the area of the larva's entrance, weakening it by partial asphyxiation.[4]
Covering the location with adhesive tape would also result partial asphixiation and weakening of the larva, but is not recommended because the larva's breathing tube is fragile and would be broken during the removal of the tape, leaving most of the larva behind.[4]
Petroleum jelly or vaseline can also be applied over the location, which prevents air from reaching the larva, suffocating it. It can then be squeezed out.
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