Cattle grub
- Pronunciation
- /KAT-uhl grub/
- Category
- Disease Ecology
- Singular
- cattle grub
- Plural
- cattle grubs
Definition
The subcutaneous larval stage of ( , ), parasitic in cattle, deer, and occasionally other mammals. Larvae migrate through tissues and form characteristic swellings (warbles) on the back before exiting through the skin to pupate. Two major cattle are Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum, whose larvae cause economic losses through hide damage, reduced weight gain, and secondary risk.
Etymology
From cattle (the primary ) + (larva of an insect).
Example
In late winter, mature cattle of lineatum cut breathing holes through the skin of a cow's back, creating the characteristic warble swellings that reduce hide value.
Synonyms
- warble
- wolf (larva)
Related Terms
- warble fly
- Hypoderma
- myiasis
- oestrid
- hypodermosis
Usage Notes
Refers specifically to the larval stage, not the fly ( or ). The term '' alone is broader and includes many scarabaeiform larvae; 'cattle grub' specifies the parasitic oestrid context. In veterinary parasitology, '' denotes the condition caused by these larvae.