Pests and Diseases Image Library
Pests and Diseases Image Library
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When dealing with cutaneous myiasis caused by the flies such as the African tumbu or lund's fly or the South American human botfly, medical practitioners need to obtain detailed travel history and have an understanding of the fly life cycle to prevent erroneous diagnosis and to expedite prompt treatment.
People often seek treatment for infection and are given antibiotics, an approach that doesn’t bring relief. Left alone, the mature larvae will eventually emerges on its own and the lesion heals. However, if the larva is recognized, it can be gently excised with a sharp scalpel blade. Natural remedies include covering the lesion with petroleum jelly or bacon fat to cut off the maggot’s air supply and force it to emerge.
Live larval video:
Diagnostic characters: Third instar larva - Body up to 23mm and without obvious fleshy processes but cuticle with obvious short spines; anterior spiracles in form of membranous stalks bearing finger like processes, posterior spiracles not widely separated and with serpentine slits.
There are two species of Cordylobia as Tumbu fly: C. anthropophaga; and Lund's fly: C. rodhaini. They closely resemble each other but can be distinguished by the posterior spiracles which are only slightly sinuous in C. anthropophaga and markely toruously sinuous in C. rodhaini.
Sources:
- Medical Insects and arachnids. edited by R. Lane and R. Crosskey (1996) Chapman and Hall
- Rosemary Drisdelle - See weblinks
Lund's Fly, C. rodhaini, is rarely involved in human myiasis; however, the specimen shown here caused furuncular myiasis in an Australian traveller returned from Uganda, Africa in January 2008. This is the second known instance of Lund's fly being returned to Australia,
Adult of C. rodhaini are large and robust, with a non-metallic red-brown to black abdomen and yellow coloration on the thorax and head.
PaDIL Links:
Tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga)
Human botfly (Dermatobia hominis)
Horse botfly (Gasterophilus intestinalis)
rhinoceros botfly (Gyrostigma pavesii)
common cattle grub (Hypoderma lineatum)
Specimen contact point: Museum Victoria
Citation: Walker, K. (2008) Lund’s fly (Cordylobia rodhaini) Pest and Diseases Image Library. Updated on 2/25/2008 4:45:49 PM. Available online: http://www.padil.gov.au
Created Date: 1/22/2008 11:13:05 PM
Last Updated: 2/25/2008 4:45:49 PM
| Diagnostic Images | |||
Mouthparts - ventral view | Posterior Spiracles | Spine pattern | |
| Overview Images | |||
Dorsal | Lateral | Ventral | |
| Other Images | |||
Cordylobia anthropophaga 3rd instar larva | Dorsal - 3rd instar larva Dry image | Ventral 3rd instart larva dry | Ventral setal pattern |
Wound image | |||
