Human botfly

Definition

A species of myiasis-causing fly, Dermatobia hominis (Diptera: Oestridae), whose larvae obligately parasitize mammals including humans, developing subcutaneously and producing furuncular lesions. The adult female captures blood-feeding insects (mosquitoes, ticks) and glues eggs to their bodies; the warmth of a host's skin stimulates larval hatching and immediate penetration. Endemic to the Neotropics.

Etymology

Latin Dermatobia ('skin life') + Greek hominis ('of man'), referring to its human parasitism; 'botfly' from Middle English 'bot' (parasitic larva of livestock).

Example

A traveler returning from the Amazon basin presents with a painful, breathing pore on the forearm; extraction reveals a human botfly larva with retrorse spines anchoring it in the dermis.

Synonyms

• torsalo
• American warble fly (misnomer)

Related Terms

• myiasis
• furuncular myiasis
• Dermatobia
• Oestridae
• cutaneous larva migrans
• screwworm
• hypodermis
• retrorse spines

Usage Notes

Often confused with true warble flies (Hypoderma spp., parasites of cattle and deer), which are unrelated oestrids causing different pathology. The common name 'torsalo' is preferred in Latin American medical literature. Not to be confused with the human botfly's indirect egg-dispersal strategy (phoresy on mosquitoes) with direct oviposition by other myiasis-causing flies.