# Botfly

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Parasitic insect

"Oestridae" redirects here; not to be confused with [Ostreidae](/source/Ostreidae).

Botfly Deer botfly (Cephenemyia stimulator) Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Clade: Pancrustacea Class: Insecta Order: Diptera Clade: Eremoneura Clade: Cyclorrhapha Section: Schizophora Subsection: Calyptratae Superfamily: Oestroidea Family: Oestridae Leach, 1815 Subfamilies Cuterebrinae Gasterophilinae Hypodermatinae Oestrinae

Juvenile male Ecuadorian mantled howler (*[Alouatta palliata aequatorialis](/source/Alouatta_palliata_aequatorialis)*) with botfly parasites

**Botflies**, also known as **warble flies**, **heel flies**, and **gadflies**, are [flies](/source/Flies) of the family **Oestridae**. Their [larvae](/source/Larva) are internal [parasites](/source/Parasites) of [mammals](/source/Mammals), some species growing in the host's flesh and others within the gut. *[Dermatobia hominis](/source/Dermatobia_hominis)* is the only species of botfly known to parasitize humans routinely, though other species of flies cause [myiasis](/source/Myiasis) in humans.

## General

A botfly,[1] also written bot fly,[2] bott fly[3] or bot-fly[4] in various combinations, is any [fly](/source/Fly) in the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) Oestridae. Their life cycles vary greatly according to species, but the [larvae](/source/Larva) of all species are internal parasites of mammals. Largely according to species, they also are known variously as [warble flies](/source/Warble_flies), heel flies, and gadflies. The larvae of some species grow in the flesh of their hosts, while others grow within the hosts' [alimentary tracts](/source/Gut_(anatomy)).

The word "bot" in this sense means a maggot.[4] A warble is a skin lump or callus such as might be caused by an ill-fitting harness, or by the presence of a warble fly maggot under the skin. The human botfly, *Dermatobia hominis*, is the only species of botfly whose larvae ordinarily parasitise humans, though flies in some other families episodically cause human myiasis and are sometimes more harmful.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Family Oestridae

The Oestridae now are generally defined as including the former families [Oestridae](/source/Oestrinae), [Cuterebridae](/source/Cuterebrinae), [Gasterophilidae](/source/Gasterophilinae), and [Hypodermatidae](/source/Hypodermatinae) as [subfamilies](/source/Family_(taxonomy)).

The Oestridae, in turn, are a family within the superfamily [Oestroidea](/source/Oestroidea), together with the families [Calliphoridae](/source/Calliphoridae), [Mesembrinellidae](/source/Mesembrinellidae), [Mystacinobiidae](/source/Mystacinobiidae), [Polleniidae](/source/Polleniidae), [Rhiniidae](/source/Rhiniidae), [Rhinophoridae](/source/Rhinophoridae), [Sarcophagidae](/source/Flesh-fly), [Tachinidae](/source/Tachinidae), and [Ulurumyiidae](/source/Ulurumyiidae).

Of families of flies causing myiasis, the Oestridae include the highest proportion of species whose larvae live as obligate [parasites](/source/Parasite) within the bodies of [mammals](/source/Mammal). Roughly 150 species are known worldwide.[5] Most other species of flies implicated in myiasis are members of related families, such as blow-flies.

## Infestation

Larval stage of *[Gasterophilus intestinalis](/source/Gasterophilus_intestinalis)*

Botflies deposit eggs on a host, or sometimes use an intermediate vector such as the common [housefly](/source/Housefly), mosquitoes, and, in the case of *D. hominis*, a species of [tick](/source/Tick). After mating, the female botfly captures the [phoretic](/source/Phoresis) insect by holding onto its wings with her legs. She then makes the slip—attaching 15 to 30 eggs onto the insect or arachnid's abdomen, where they incubate. The fertilized female does this over and over again to distribute the 100 to 400 eggs she produces in her short adult stage of life of only 8–9 days. Larvae from these eggs, stimulated by the warmth and proximity of a large mammal host, drop onto its skin and burrow underneath.[6] Intermediate vectors are often used since many animal hosts recognize the approach of a botfly and flee.[7]

Eggs are deposited on larger animals' [skin](/source/Skin) directly, or the larvae hatch and drop from the eggs attached to the intermediate vector; the body heat of the host animal induces hatching upon contact or immediate proximity. Some forms of botfly also occur in the [digestive tract](/source/Digestive_tract) after ingestion by licking.

Ox warble fly (*[Hypoderma bovis](/source/Hypoderma_bovis)*)

Myiasis can be caused by larvae burrowing into the skin (or tissue lining) of the host animal. Mature larvae drop from the host and complete the [pupal](/source/Pupa) stage in the soil. They do not kill the host animal, thus they are true [parasites](/source/Parasitism).

The equine botflies present seasonal difficulties to [equestrian](/source/Equestrianism) caretakers, as they lay eggs on the insides of horses' front legs on the [cannon](/source/Cannon_bone) or metacarpal bone (below the knee) and [knees](/source/Knees), and sometimes on the [throat](/source/Throat) or [nose](/source/Nose) depending on the species. These eggs, which look like small, yellow drops of paint, must be carefully removed during the laying season (late summer and early fall) to prevent infestation in the horse. When a horse rubs its nose on its legs, the eggs are transferred to the mouth and from there to the [intestines](/source/Intestines), where the larvae grow and attach themselves to the stomach lining or the small intestine. The attachment of the larvae to the tissue produces a mild irritation, which results in erosions and ulcerations at the site.[8] Removal of the eggs (which adhere to the host's hair) is difficult since the bone and [tendons](/source/Tendons) are directly under the skin on the cannon bones; eggs must be removed with a sharp knife (often a razor blade) or rough sandpaper and caught before they reach the ground. The larvae remain attached and develop for 10–12 months before they are passed out in the feces. Occasionally, horse owners report seeing botfly larvae in horse manure. These larvae are cylindrical and are reddish-orange. In one to two months, adult botflies emerge from the developing larvae and the cycle repeats itself.[8] Botflies can be controlled with several types of dewormers, including [dichlorvos](/source/Dichlorvos), [ivermectin](/source/Ivermectin), and [trichlorfon](/source/Trichlorfon).

In cattle, the lesions caused by these flies can become infected by *[Mannheimia granulomatis](/source/Mannheimia_granulomatis)*, a [bacterium](/source/Bacterium) that causes [lechiguana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lechiguana&action=edit&redlink=1), characterized by rapid-growing, hard lumps beneath the skin of the animal. Without antibiotics, an affected animal will die within 3–11 months.[9][10]

*[Cuterebra fontinella](/source/Cuterebra_fontinella)*, the mouse botfly, parasitizes small mammals all around North America.[11]

*[Dermatobia hominis](/source/Dermatobia_hominis)*, the human botfly, occasionally uses humans to host its larvae.[12]

## As human food

Dissected head of a deer showing botfly larvae

In cold climates supporting [reindeer](/source/Reindeer) or [caribou](/source/Caribou)-reliant populations, large quantities of *[Hypoderma tarandi](/source/Hypoderma_tarandi)* (caribou warble fly) maggots are available to human populations during the butchery of animals.[13]

The sixth episode of season one of the television series *[Beyond Survival](/source/Beyond_Survival_(TV_series))*, titled "The [Inuit](/source/Inuit) – Survivors of the Future", features survival expert [Les Stroud](/source/Les_Stroud) and two Inuit guides hunting caribou on the northern coast of [Baffin Island](/source/Baffin_Island) near [Pond Inlet](/source/Pond_Inlet), [Nunavut](/source/Nunavut), Canada. Upon skinning and butchering of one of the animals, numerous larvae (presumably *H. tarandi*, although not explicitly stated) are apparent on the inside of the caribou pelt. Stroud and his two Inuit guides eat (albeit somewhat reluctantly) one larva each, with Stroud commenting that the larva "tastes like milk" and was historically commonly consumed by the Inuit.[14]

Copious art dating back to the [Pleistocene](/source/Pleistocene) in Europe confirms their consumption in premodern times, as well.[15]

The [Babylonian Talmud](/source/Babylonian_Talmud) Hullin 67b discusses whether the warble fly is kosher.[16]

## See also

- *[Cochliomyia hominivorax](/source/Cochliomyia_hominivorax)*, the [screwworm](/source/Screwworm)

- *[Cordylobia anthropophaga](/source/Cordylobia_anthropophaga)*, the tumbu fly

- *[Philornis](/source/Philornis)*, a genus of flies that are subcutaneous parasites of birds, sometimes referred to as "bot flies"

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Websters_1-0)** Inc. Merriam-Webster (2011). *Webster's American English dictionary*. Springfield, MA: Federal Street Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-59695-114-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-59695-114-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FaberV_2-0)** Mullen G, Durden L, eds. (2009). *Medical and veterinary entomology*. Amsterdam, NL: Academic. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-12-372500-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-12-372500-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Journal of the Department of Agriculture of Western Australia, Volume 9, Pub: Western Australia. Dept. of Agriculture, 1904, p 17

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-isbn0-19-861271-0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-isbn0-19-861271-0_4-1) Brown, Lesley (1993). [*The New shorter Oxford English dictionary on historical principles*](https://archive.org/details/newshorteroxford00lesl). Oxford [Eng.]: Clarendon. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-861271-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-861271-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Pape T (April 2001). "Phylogeny of Oestridae (Insecta: Diptera)". *[Systematic Entomology](/source/Systematic_Entomology)*. **26** (2): 133–171. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2001SysEn..26..133P](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2001SysEn..26..133P). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1046/j.1365-3113.2001.00143.x](https://doi.org/10.1046%2Fj.1365-3113.2001.00143.x). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [83936667](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:83936667).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Dunleavy, Stephen (producer) (2005-10-20). [*Life In The Undergrowth: Intimate Relations (Programme synopses)*](https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/10_october/20/life_synopses.shtml). BBC. Retrieved 2008-12-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Drees B, Jackman J (1999). "Horse Bot Fly". [*Field Guide to Texas Insects*](https://web.archive.org/web/20121114065440/http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg241.html). Houston, Texas: Gulf Publishing Company. Archived from [the original](http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg241.html) on 2012-11-14. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ondrak_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ondrak_8-1) Ondrak J. ["Ask The Vet: Treating Bot Infestations In Horses"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090822012533/http://www.lambriarvet.com/vet-equine-bots.php). *lambriarvet.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.lambriarvet.com/vet-equine-bots.php) on 2009-08-22. Retrieved 2009-09-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Piper R (2007). ["Human Botfly"](https://books.google.com/books?id=eqegRf2UstIC&pg=PA192). [*Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals*](https://archive.org/details/extraordinaryani0000pipe/page/192). [Westport, Connecticut](/source/Westport%2C_Connecticut): [Greenwood Publishing Group](/source/Greenwood_Publishing_Group). pp. [192–194](https://archive.org/details/extraordinaryani0000pipe/page/192). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-313-33922-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-33922-6). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [191846476](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/191846476). Retrieved 2009-02-13.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Riet-Correa F, S. L. Ladeira, G. B. Andrade, G. R. Carter (December 2000). "Lechiguana (focal proliferative fibrogranulomatous panniculitis) in cattle". *Veterinary Research Communications*. **24** (8): 557–572. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1023/A:1006444019819](https://doi.org/10.1023%2FA%3A1006444019819). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [11305747](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11305747). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [19888515](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:19888515).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Jennison CA, Rodas LR, Barrett GW (2006). "*Cuterebra fontinella* parasitism on *Peromyscus leucopus* and *Ochrotomys nuttalli*". *Southeastern Naturalist*. **5** (1): 157–168. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1656/1528-7092(2006)5\[157:CFPOPL\]2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1656%2F1528-7092%282006%295%5B157%3ACFPOPL%5D2.0.CO%3B2). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [87286185](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:87286185).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-USACHPPM_12-0)** ["Human Bot Fly Myiasis"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200719063501/https://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/HumanBotFlyMyiasis_FS_18-052-0618.pdf#search=dermatobia) (PDF). U.S. Army Public Health Command (provisional), formerly U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine. January 2010. Archived from [the original](https://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/HumanBotFlyMyiasis_FS_18-052-0618.pdf#search=dermatobia) (PDF) on July 19, 2020. Retrieved 2014-08-14.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Felt E (1918). ["Caribou warble grubs edible"](https://books.google.com/books?id=CfTzAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA482). *Journal of Economic Entomology*. **11**: 482.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Les Stroud Beyond Survival: The Inuit – Survivors of the Future"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160302015601/http://lesstroud.ca/beyondsurvival/ep6.php). Lesstroud.ca. Archived from [the original](http://lesstroud.ca/beyondsurvival/ep6.php) on 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2015-11-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NPA_15-0)** Guthrie RD (2005). [*The Nature of Paleolithic Art*](https://books.google.com/books?id=3u6JNwMyMCEC&pg=PA6). University of Chicago Press. pp. 6–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-226-31126-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-226-31126-5). Retrieved 7 May 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Chullin 67b:11"](https://www.sefaria.org/Chullin.67b.11). *www.sefaria.org*. Retrieved 2021-01-02.

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Botflies](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Botflies)***.

- Media related to [Oestridae](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Oestridae) at Wikimedia Commons

- [Encyclopedia.com article](https://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/botfly.aspx)

- [*Cuterebra emasculator*, squirrel bot fly](http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/flies/squirrel_bot_fly.htm)

- [*Dermatobia hominis*, human bot fly](http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/flies/human_bot_fly.htm)

- [*Gasterophilus intestinalis*, horse bot fly](http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/livestock/horse_bot_fly.htm)

- [*Hypoderma lineatum*, common cattle grub](http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/livestock/cattle_grub.htm)

v t e Extant Diptera families Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Subclass: Pterygota Infraclass: Neoptera Superorder: Holometabola Suborder Nematocera Axymyiomorpha Axymyiidae Culicomorpha Culicoidea Dixidae (meniscus midges) Corethrellidae (frog-biting midges) Chaoboridae (phantom midges) Culicidae (mosquitoes) Chironomoidea Thaumaleidae (solitary midges) Simuliidae (black flies) Ceratopogonidae (biting midges) Chironomidae (non-biting midges) Blephariceromorpha Blephariceridae (net-winged midges) Deuterophlebiidae (mountain midges) Nymphomyiidae Bibionomorpha Bibionoidea Bibionidae (march flies, lovebugs) Anisopodoidea Anisopodidae (wood gnats) Sciaroidea (fungus gnats) Bolitophilidae Cecidomyiidae (gall midges) Diadocidiidae Ditomyiidae Keroplatidae (predatory fungus gnats) Lygistorrhinidae (long-beaked fungus gnats) Mycetophilidae Rangomaramidae (long-winged fungus gnats) Sciaridae (dark-winged fungus gnats) Perissommatomorpha Perissommatidae Psychodomorpha Scatopsoidea Canthyloscelidae Scatopsidae (minute black scavenger flies, or dung midges) Valeseguyidae Psychodoidea Psychodidae (moth flies) Ptychopteromorpha Ptychopteridae (phantom crane flies) Tanyderidae (primitive crane flies) Tipulomorpha Trichoceroidea Trichoceridae (winter crane flies) Tipuloidea (crane flies) Cylindrotomidae (long-bodied crane flies) Limoniidae (limoniid crane flies) Pediciidae (hairy-eyed craneflies) Tipulidae (large crane flies) Suborder Brachycera Asilomorpha Asiloidea Apioceridae (flower-loving flies) Apsilocephalidae Apystomyiidae Asilidae (robber flies) Bombyliidae (bee flies) Evocoidae Hilarimorphidae (hilarimorphid flies) Mydidae (mydas flies) Mythicomyiidae Scenopinidae (window flies) Therevidae (stiletto flies) Empidoidea Atelestidae Dolichopodidae (long-legged flies) Empididae (dagger flies, balloon flies) Homalocnemiidae Hybotidae (dance flies) Oreogetonidae Ragadidae Nemestrinoidea Acroceridae (small-headed flies) Nemestrinidae (tangle-veined flies) Muscomorpha Aschiza Platypezoidea Ironomyiidae (ironic flies) Lonchopteridae (spear-winged flies) Opetiidae (flat-footed flies) Phoridae (scuttle flies, coffin flies, humpbacked flies) Platypezidae (flat-footed flies) Syrphoidea Pipunculidae (big-headed flies) Syrphidae (hoverflies) Schizophora Acalyptratae Conopoidea Conopidae (thick-headed flies) Tephritoidea Pallopteridae (flutter flies) Piophilidae (cheese flies) Platystomatidae (signal flies) Pyrgotidae Richardiidae Tephritidae (peacock flies) Ulidiidae (picture-winged flies) Nerioidea Cypselosomatidae Micropezidae (stilt-legged flies) Neriidae (cactus flies, banana stalk flies) Diopsoidea Diopsidae (stalk-eyed flies) Gobryidae Megamerinidae Nothybidae Psilidae (rust flies) Somatiidae Strongylophthalmyiidae Syringogastridae Tanypezidae Sciomyzoidea Coelopidae (kelp flies) Dryomyzidae Helcomyzidae Helosciomyzidae Heterocheilidae Huttoninidae Natalimyzidae Phaeomyiidae Ropalomeridae Sciomyzidae (marsh flies) Sepsidae (black scavenger flies) Sphaeroceroidea Chyromyidae Heleomyzidae Nannodastiidae Sphaeroceridae (small dung flies) Lauxanioidea Celyphidae (beetle-backed flies) Chamaemyiidae (aphid flies) Cremifaniidae Lauxaniidae Opomyzoidea Agromyzidae (leaf miner flies) Anthomyzidae Asteiidae Aulacigastridae (sap flies) Clusiidae (lekking, or druid flies) Fergusoninidae Marginidae Neminidae Neurochaetidae (upside-down flies) Odiniidae Opomyzidae Periscelididae Teratomyzidae Xenasteiidae Ephydroidea Camillidae Curtonotidae (quasimodo flies) Diastatidae (bog flies) Drosophilidae (vinegar and fruit flies) Ephydridae (shore flies) Mormotomyiidae (frightful hairy fly) Carnoidea Acartophthalmidae Australimyzidae Braulidae (bee lice) Canacidae (beach flies) Carnidae Chloropidae (frit flies) Inbiomyiidae Milichiidae (freeloader flies) Lonchaeoidea Cryptochetidae Lonchaeidae (lance flies) Calyptratae Muscoidea Anthomyiidae (cabbage flies) Fanniidae (little house flies) Muscidae (house flies, stable flies) Scathophagidae (dung flies) Oestroidea Calliphoridae (blow-flies: bluebottles, greenbottles) Mesembrinellidae Mystacinobiidae (New Zealand batfly) Oestridae (botflies) Rhiniidae Rhinophoridae Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) Tachinidae (tachina flies) Ulurumyiidae Hippoboscoidea Glossinidae (tsetse flies) Hippoboscidae (louse flies) Nycteribiidae (bat flies) Streblidae (bat flies) Stratiomyomorpha Stratiomyoidea Pantophthalmidae (timber flies) Stratiomyidae (soldier flies) Xylomyidae (wood soldier flies) Tabanomorpha Rhagionoidea Austroleptidae Bolbomyiidae Rhagionidae (snipe flies) Tabanoidea Athericidae (water snipe flies) Oreoleptidae Pelecorhynchidae Tabanidae (horse and deer flies) Vermileonomorpha Vermileonoidea Vermileonidae Xylophagomorpha Xylophagoidea Xylophagidae (awl flies) List of families of Diptera

Taxon identifiers Oestridae Wikidata: Q27485 Wikispecies: Oestridae AFD: Oestridae BioLib: 17447 BOLD: 535 BugGuide: 25501 CoL: DJR EoL: 8978 EPPO: 1OESTF Fauna Europaea: 10932 Fauna Europaea (new): 435e5279-58c5-471f-b4f1-1227ca00b010 GBIF: 9499 iNaturalist: 154882 IRMNG: 104289 ITIS: 151717 NBN: NBNSYS0000160557 NCBI: 7387 NZOR: dec20238-da00-4d77-b03c-8c6789ba8eb3 Open Tree of Life: 334384 Paleobiology Database: 207372

Authority control databases National United States Czech Republic Israel Other Yale LUX

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