Cuterebra polita

Coquillett, 1898

Cuterebra polita is a New World skin bot fly whose larvae are obligate of rodents. are non-feeding and short-lived, lacking functional mouthparts. Larvae develop in subcutaneous warbles on rodents, feeding on host tissues and fluids. The has been documented in four rodent hosts in Florida: white-footed mouse, cotton mouse, eastern woodrat, and cotton rat.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cuterebra polita: /kuːˈtɛrɛbrə pəˈlaɪtə/

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Habitat

Woodlands, fields, and brushy areas where rodents (Peromyscus leucopus, Peromyscus gossypinus, Neotoma floridana, Sigmodon hispidus) occur. Specific requirements for the fly itself are poorly documented beyond association with host burrows and activity areas.

Distribution

Documented in Florida based on studies; precise geographic range beyond this region is not well established in available sources.

Diet

are non-feeding, lacking functional mouthparts. Larvae are obligate , feeding on tissues and fluids within subcutaneous warbles on rodent hosts.

Host Associations

Peromyscus leucopus - primary white-footed mouse
Peromyscus gossypinus - primary cotton mouse
Neotoma floridana - primary eastern woodrat
Sigmodon hispidus - primary cotton rat

Life Cycle

Complete with four stages: , larva (three instars), pupa, and . Females deposit eggs on vegetation or substrates in areas frequented by rodents. First instar larvae hatch and enter hosts through natural body openings or skin, then migrate to subcutaneous locations where they form warbles. Development proceeds through three larval instars within the warble over approximately one month. Mature third instar larvae exit through a breathing pore in the warble, drop from the host, and burrow into soil to pupate. Adults emerge from and live only briefly, focusing on .

Behavior

First instar larvae exhibit -seeking , responding to host body heat and movement. Larvae form characteristic subcutaneous warbles with a breathing pore to the skin surface. Mature larvae actively exit hosts to locate soil for . are rarely encountered in the field due to their short lifespan and non-feeding habit.

Ecological Role

of native rodents; may influence . Serves as food source for that consume infested rodents or excavate pupae from soil. The relatively benign nature of the host-parasite relationship, as observed in related Cuterebra , is attributed to long coevolutionary history with specific hosts.

Similar Taxa

Cuterebra fontinellaAnother rodent bot fly with similar and appearance; distinguished by associations and subtle morphological differences
Cuterebra abdominalisRabbit-infesting bot fly; distinguished by specificity (lagomorphs vs. rodents) and coloration patterns
Cuterebra buccataRabbit-infesting bot fly; distinguished by specificity and coloration (red bands characteristic of rabbit-infesting )