| Wohlfahrtia magnifica | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Sarcophagidae |
| Genus: | Wohlfahrtia |
| Species: | W. magnifica |
| Binomial name | |
| Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) |
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| Synonyms | |
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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] 3 instar larvae are 5-7mm in length.
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Wohlfahrtia magnifica larvae cause myiasis in mammals, mainly in sheep, but also in cattle, goat, horses and rarely in human. In sheep, larvae chiefly infest genitalia or open wounds. In human W. magnifica larvae may infest the ear, eye, mouth[2] or nose, damaging living tissues.[1] they may also infest open wounds, including post surgery.
W. magnifica is found in southern Europe, Asiatic Russia, the Middle East, North Africa and China.[3]. Their range is increasing, believed to because of spread of intensive sheep rearing.
The larvae of the North American species, Wohlfahrtia vigil and Wohlfahrtia opaca, are incapable of penetrating adult skin; infestation occurs only in infants.[1]