Casu-marzu
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Piophila casei
cheese skipper, ham skipper, cheese fly
Piophila casei is a detritivorous fly in the family Piophilidae, commonly known as the cheese skipper or ham skipper. It is a significant pest of cured meat production, particularly Parma ham in Italy, where its larvae infest high-protein substrates and cause substantial economic damage. The species has forensic importance as an indicator for post-mortem interval estimation on human remains. Its mature larvae exhibit a distinctive "skipping" escape behavior, propelling themselves by curling into a U-shape and releasing suddenly. The fly is also a public health concern due to its ability to cause enteric myiasis when larvae are accidentally ingested.