Bot-fly
Guides
Cephenemyia phobifer
pharyngeal bot of white-tailed deer
Cephenemyia phobifer is a parasitic bot fly (family Oestridae) that develops in the pharyngeal region of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The species exhibits probable larviposition, with females depositing live larvae directly onto or near hosts rather than laying eggs. It has a northeastern Nearctic distribution and completes two generations annually, with winter and summer cycles differing in duration.
Cuterebra
rodent bots, Glire Bot Flies
Cuterebra is a genus of New World bot flies (subfamily Cuterebrinae) comprising approximately 78 species that parasitize rodents and lagomorphs. Adults are large, robust flies resembling bumble bees, with non-functional mouthparts and short lifespans devoted entirely to reproduction. Females oviposit near host burrow entrances; larvae hatch in response to host body heat, enter through natural orifices or wounds, and develop subcutaneously for approximately one month before exiting to pupate in soil. The genus exhibits notable host specificity, with individual species typically restricted to single host species or closely related groups.
Cuterebra abdominalis
rabbit bot fly
Cuterebra abdominalis is a species of New World skin bot fly in the family Oestridae. It is a parasite of lagomorphs (rabbits and hares), with larvae developing subcutaneously in host tissues. Adults are short-lived, lack functional mouthparts, and do not feed. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry, resembling bumble bees in appearance. It is one of approximately 34 recognized North American species in the genus Cuterebra, with seven species specializing on rabbit hosts.
Cuterebra americana
woodrat bot fly
Cuterebra americana, the woodrat bot fly, is a New World skin bot fly in the family Oestridae. It is a parasitic species whose larvae develop subcutaneously in mammalian hosts. The species has been documented successfully developing in atypical hosts, including the black rat (Rattus rattus) in Florida. Adults are rarely encountered in the field and lack functional mouthparts, living only to reproduce.
Cuterebra arizonae
New World skin bot fly
Cuterebra arizonae is a species of New World skin bot fly in the family Oestridae. It was described by Sabrosky in 1986. Like other members of the genus Cuterebra, it is a parasitic fly whose larvae develop subcutaneously in mammalian hosts. Adults are rarely encountered in the field and lack functional mouthparts.
Cuterebra atrox
Cuterebra atrox is a species of New World skin bot fly in the family Oestridae. Like other members of the genus Cuterebra, it is a parasitic fly whose larvae develop subcutaneously in mammalian hosts. The species was described by Clark in 1848. Adults are rarely encountered in the field and do not feed, lacking functional mouthparts.
Cuterebra bajensis
Cuterebra bajensis is a species of New World skin bot fly in the family Oestridae, described by Sabrosky in 1986. The species belongs to a genus of obligate mammalian parasites whose larvae develop subcutaneously in rodents and lagomorphs. Adults are rarely encountered in the field and do not feed.
Cuterebra buccata
rabbit bot fly
Cuterebra buccata is a New World bot fly in the family Oestridae, commonly known as the rabbit bot fly. Adults are large, bumble bee-sized flies that lack functional mouthparts and do not feed. The species is host-specific to lagomorphs, particularly cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus). Larvae develop subcutaneously in warbles, feeding on host fluids rather than tissue. Adults are rarely encountered in the field and have short lifespans focused on reproduction.
bot-flymyiasisparasitelagomorphrabbitOestridaeCuterebrinaebumble-bee-mimicrywarblesubcutaneous-parasitehost-specificnon-feeding-adultpupariumCuterebraSylvilaguscottontail-rabbitNew-WorldNorth-AmericaVirginiaMissouriVermontspring-emergencelate-summer-prevalencerarely-encounteredshort-lived-adultevolutionary-coevolutionbenign-parasitismsoil-pupationlarval-migrationsubcutaneous-developmentDipteraInsectaentomologymedical-entomologyveterinary-entomologywildlife-diseaseparasitologyhost-parasite-interactioncuterebridrabbit-parasitelagomorph-parasitebotwarble-flygadflyOestrus-buccataFabricius-1775Cuterebra-buccata-(Fabricius,-1775)Cuterebra cochisei
Cuterebra cochisei is a species of New World skin bot fly described by Sabrosky in 1986. As a member of the genus Cuterebra, it is an obligate parasite of mammals with larvae that develop subcutaneously in host tissue. The species is one of 34 recognized North American Cuterebra species. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species.
Cuterebra emasculator
Squirrel Bot Fly
Cuterebra emasculator is a New World bot fly and obligate internal parasite of tree squirrels and chipmunks in eastern North America. First described by Asa Fitch in 1856, its larvae develop subcutaneously in hosts, creating characteristic swellings called warbles. The species name originated from a false belief that larvae consumed host testicles; research has shown this is not the case and parasitism does not reduce host fertility. Adults are rarely encountered, lack functional mouthparts, and live only a few days focused solely on reproduction.
Cuterebra fontinella
mouse bot fly
Cuterebra fontinella, commonly known as the mouse bot fly, is a New World oestrid fly that parasitizes small mammals, particularly the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). Adults are short-lived, non-feeding, and resemble bumble bees in appearance. Females lay eggs on vegetation near host burrows; larvae enter through natural orifices or wounds, migrate internally, and develop subcutaneous warbles typically located in the inguinal region. The species exhibits bimodal seasonal activity with summer and autumn population peaks. Though primarily a rodent parasite, rare human cases of myiasis have been documented.
Cuterebra fontinella fontinella
mouse bot fly, white-footed mouse bot fly
Cuterebra fontinella fontinella is a subspecies of New World bot fly (family Oestridae) that parasitizes small mammals, primarily white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). The adult flies are large, bumble bee-sized, and lack functional mouthparts, living only briefly to reproduce. Females lay eggs near host burrow entrances; larvae hatch in response to host body heat, enter through orifices or wounds, and develop subcutaneously for approximately one month before exiting to pupate in soil. Despite forming conspicuous warbles that can reach 5% of host body weight, infections appear to have minimal negative impact on host survival and may even correlate with increased longevity in some populations.
Cuterebra fontinella grisea
Cuterebra fontinella grisea is a subspecies of New World skin bot fly (family Oestridae) that parasitizes small mammals, particularly white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). The larvae develop subcutaneously in the host, forming large warbles that can reach 5% of the host's body weight. Despite the conspicuous nature of these parasitic infections, studies indicate that infected mice may actually live longer than non-infected individuals, suggesting a relatively benign host-parasite relationship attributed to long evolutionary co-adaptation. Adults are short-lived, lack functional mouthparts, and are rarely encountered in the field.
Cuterebra jellisoni
Cuterebra jellisoni is a species of New World skin bot fly in the family Oestridae. The species is a parasitoid of lagomorphs, specifically documented from the black-tailed jackrabbit subspecies Lepus californicus deserticola. Like other Cuterebra species, it develops as a subcutaneous parasite of mammals, with larvae creating warbles beneath the host's skin. Adults are non-feeding and short-lived, focused solely on reproduction.
Cuterebra lepusculi
cottontail rabbit botfly
Cuterebra lepusculi is a New World skin bot fly (family Oestridae) that parasitizes cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.). Adults are short-lived, lack functional mouthparts, and do not feed. Females deposit eggs near rabbit burrow entrances; larvae hatch upon detecting host body heat, enter through natural orifices or wounds, and develop in subcutaneous warbles for approximately one month before exiting to pupate in soil.
Cuterebra polita
Cuterebra polita is a New World skin bot fly whose larvae are obligate parasites of rodents. Adults are non-feeding and short-lived, lacking functional mouthparts. Larvae develop in subcutaneous warbles on host rodents, feeding on host tissues and fluids. The species has been documented in four rodent hosts in Florida: white-footed mouse, cotton mouse, eastern woodrat, and cotton rat.
Cuterebra tenebriformis
Cuterebra tenebrosa
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 family Oestridae. The species is a specialized parasite of bushy-tailed wood rats (Neotoma cinerea). Adult males exhibit distinctive territorial aggregation behavior near host habitats, establishing territories over heat-reflecting surfaces and engaging in aerial defense against intruders. The species demonstrates complex life history traits including temperature-dependent pupal diapause that can extend development up to two years.
Gasterophilinae
stomach bot flies
Gasterophilinae is a subfamily of Oestridae containing large, parasitic flies whose larvae develop in the digestive tracts of herbivorous mammals. The group includes three genera with distinct host specializations: Gasterophilus (equids including horses, zebras, and donkeys), Gyrostigma (rhinoceroses), and Cobboldia (elephants). Adults are short-lived, non-feeding, and exhibit specialized oviposition behaviors. Larvae are obligate parasites that complete development in the host alimentary tract, causing veterinary significance. The subfamily has achieved near-cosmopolitan distribution through association with domestic horses.
Gasterophilus intestinalis
Horse Bot Fly, Horse Botfly
A parasitic bot fly found worldwide that infests the gastrointestinal tract of equids. Adults are bumblebee mimics active in summer, lacking functional mouthparts and living only a few weeks. Females cement eggs to horse hairs; larvae develop in the mouth and stomach for 8–10 months before exiting in feces to pupate. Infestations rarely cause clinical disease but adults are a nuisance to horses.