Cuterebra tenebrosa

Coquillett, 1898

rodent bot fly, pack rat botfly

Cuterebra tenebrosa, commonly known as the rodent bot fly or pack rat botfly, is a New World skin bot fly in the Oestridae. The is a specialized of bushy-tailed wood rats (Neotoma cinerea). males exhibit distinctive territorial near , establishing territories over heat-reflecting surfaces and engaging in aerial defense against intruders. The species demonstrates complex traits including temperature-dependent pupal that can extend development up to two years.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cuterebra tenebrosa: //kjuːˈtɛɹəbrə tɛnəˈbɹoʊsə//

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Habitat

sites for males are located near streams or roadsides, specifically over heat-reflecting surfaces that often contain objects taller than their surroundings. These sites are positioned near areas where bushy-tailed wood rats are infested by botfly larvae.

Distribution

Central Washington has been documented as a location where the has been studied in bushy-tailed wood rat .

Seasonality

male activity occurs during July and August. Males fly in mornings when shade temperature exceeds 19.5–20°C and the sun is shining. On very warm mornings when 20°C is reached early, males delay flight until approximately 3.75–4 hours after sunrise. Flight almost always ends by midday.

Host Associations

Neotoma cinerea - obligate bushy-tailed wood rat; primary for larval development

Life Cycle

hatch in 10 days. Complete larval development requires 35 days, with first and second larval occurring at 9 and 19 days respectively. Mature larvae exit the and form within 24 hours. occurs 8 days after puparium formation. Pupal is induced by short daylengths experienced during host ; non-diapausing pupae emerge in 52 days, while diapausing pupae may require up to 2 years to emerge. Attempts to terminate pupal diapause through temperature or manipulation have been unsuccessful.

Behavior

males exhibit territorial , establishing and defending territories over specific landscape features. Each male chases intruders, including other males, from its territory while flying regular oval or figure-of-eight patterns. Female flies are rarely observed as they appear only briefly for mating purposes.

Ecological Role

The functions as a -specific with a relatively benign relationship to its wood rat host, attributed to long evolutionary history between the parasite and host.

Similar Taxa

Cuterebra griseaExhibits similar male territorial with comparable patterns and temperature-dependent activity; distinguished by association with deermice rather than wood rats
Cuterebra buccataRabbit-infesting bot fly with red bands; distinguished from C. tenebrosa by specificity to lagomorphs rather than rodents
Cuterebra abdominalisRabbit-infesting with mimicry; distinguished by association and morphological convergence with hymenopteran models