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Cuterebra fontinella
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Cuterebra fontinella
Cuterebra fontinella, the mouse bot fly, is a species of New World skin bot fly in the family Oestridae. C. fontinella is typically around 1 cm (0.39 in) in length with a black and yellow color pattern. C. fontinella develops by parasitizing nutrients from its host, typically the white-footed mouse. C. fontinella has even been known to parasitize humans in rare cases. Individuals parasitized by C. fontinella will develop a large bump on the skin that is indicative of parasitization.
The genus name Cuterebra is a blend of the Latin words cutis : skin and terebra : borer with apparent shortening of expected Cutiterebra to Cuterebra.[citation needed]
C. fontinella is found all around North America, including in most of the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. The prevalence of C. fontinella is dependent upon temperature. Colder regions will not be as densely populated as the warmer ones.[citation needed]
C. fontinella inhabits deciduous forests of North America. C. fontinella prefer territories near running water and with low-elevation vegetation. These flies are found in the highest density near the edges of their habitats.
C. fontinella look very similar to other species within the genus Cuterebra but have a few distinguishing features. The easiest indicator to use is the host species, as different species of Cuterebra infest different hosts. However, this method is not always reliable as C. fontinella have been known to infest multiple host species in addition to their preferred host, Peromyscus leucopus, the white-footed mouse. C. fontinella eggs are typically 1.05 mm (0.041 in) long and 0.03 mm wide. They are shaped like canoes and have a large groove along their underside; this groove enables attachment to vegetation. C. fontinella larvae transition from golden brown to black during development. The larvae are oval in shape. Grown larvae are typically 22 mm (0.87 in) long, 13.9 mm (0.55 in) wide, and 12.5 mm (0.49 in) thick. The larva is segmented into 12 sections, with backwards facing conical spines on almost every segment. The head segment is shield shaped, colored white or tan, contains antennal pits and retractable mandibles. The 12th segment bears two spiracles and is also lightly colored. However, the spines on this segment are outward facing. Adult C. fontinella have black hair on their scutum and a black spot on their anipisterum.[check spelling] Adults are typically 30 mm (1.2 in) and have a close resemblance to bees.
C. fontinella flies are territorial insects. Males chase away intruding males while patrolling their territory by flying in figure-eight and oval patterns. Since females only fly when looking for a mate, the male tries to control as much high-quality territory as he can. They congregate above heat-reflecting surfaces on roadsides and near streams. These flies are very dependent on temperature; though they can live in a vast array of latitudes, the climate they live in influences their prevalence throughout the year.
Egg development is slowed by temperatures below 15 °C (59 °F) and under arid atmosphere conditions. The ideal conditions for development are warm and humid, characteristic of southern climates. Stimulation from moisture and heat (often from the host passing by the egg) will cause the egg to hatch and the larva to be rubbed onto the host.
Once on the host, the larva enters through the nose, mouth, eyes, anus, or any open wound. Inside the body, the larva migrates and settles near the groin, then creates a “warble” with a small hole at the top layer of skin for breathing. The backward-facing spikes on the segments of the larva help to stabilize it by preventing the larva from being pulled out of the host by gripping to the flesh surrounding it. The larvae typically emerge after the host dies (typically 3.5–4 weeks), and then burrow into the ground.
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Cuterebra fontinella
Cuterebra fontinella, the mouse bot fly, is a species of New World skin bot fly in the family Oestridae. C. fontinella is typically around 1 cm (0.39 in) in length with a black and yellow color pattern. C. fontinella develops by parasitizing nutrients from its host, typically the white-footed mouse. C. fontinella has even been known to parasitize humans in rare cases. Individuals parasitized by C. fontinella will develop a large bump on the skin that is indicative of parasitization.
The genus name Cuterebra is a blend of the Latin words cutis : skin and terebra : borer with apparent shortening of expected Cutiterebra to Cuterebra.[citation needed]
C. fontinella is found all around North America, including in most of the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. The prevalence of C. fontinella is dependent upon temperature. Colder regions will not be as densely populated as the warmer ones.[citation needed]
C. fontinella inhabits deciduous forests of North America. C. fontinella prefer territories near running water and with low-elevation vegetation. These flies are found in the highest density near the edges of their habitats.
C. fontinella look very similar to other species within the genus Cuterebra but have a few distinguishing features. The easiest indicator to use is the host species, as different species of Cuterebra infest different hosts. However, this method is not always reliable as C. fontinella have been known to infest multiple host species in addition to their preferred host, Peromyscus leucopus, the white-footed mouse. C. fontinella eggs are typically 1.05 mm (0.041 in) long and 0.03 mm wide. They are shaped like canoes and have a large groove along their underside; this groove enables attachment to vegetation. C. fontinella larvae transition from golden brown to black during development. The larvae are oval in shape. Grown larvae are typically 22 mm (0.87 in) long, 13.9 mm (0.55 in) wide, and 12.5 mm (0.49 in) thick. The larva is segmented into 12 sections, with backwards facing conical spines on almost every segment. The head segment is shield shaped, colored white or tan, contains antennal pits and retractable mandibles. The 12th segment bears two spiracles and is also lightly colored. However, the spines on this segment are outward facing. Adult C. fontinella have black hair on their scutum and a black spot on their anipisterum.[check spelling] Adults are typically 30 mm (1.2 in) and have a close resemblance to bees.
C. fontinella flies are territorial insects. Males chase away intruding males while patrolling their territory by flying in figure-eight and oval patterns. Since females only fly when looking for a mate, the male tries to control as much high-quality territory as he can. They congregate above heat-reflecting surfaces on roadsides and near streams. These flies are very dependent on temperature; though they can live in a vast array of latitudes, the climate they live in influences their prevalence throughout the year.
Egg development is slowed by temperatures below 15 °C (59 °F) and under arid atmosphere conditions. The ideal conditions for development are warm and humid, characteristic of southern climates. Stimulation from moisture and heat (often from the host passing by the egg) will cause the egg to hatch and the larva to be rubbed onto the host.
Once on the host, the larva enters through the nose, mouth, eyes, anus, or any open wound. Inside the body, the larva migrates and settles near the groin, then creates a “warble” with a small hole at the top layer of skin for breathing. The backward-facing spikes on the segments of the larva help to stabilize it by preventing the larva from being pulled out of the host by gripping to the flesh surrounding it. The larvae typically emerge after the host dies (typically 3.5–4 weeks), and then burrow into the ground.
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