Wohlfahrtia magnifica

Wohlfahrtia magnifica, the spotted flesh fly, or sometimes called the screwworm fly, though species of flies from other families go by this name. It is a species of fly belonging to the family Sarcophagidae . The adults are about 6–10 mm in length;[3] third-instar larvae are 5–7 mm in length.

Wohlfahrtia magnifica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Sarcophagidae
Genus:
Wohlfahrtia
Species:
W. magnifica
Binomial name
Wohlfahrtia magnifica
Synonyms
  • Sarcophila magnifica Schiner, 1862[1]
  • Sarcophila wohlfahrti Portschinsky, 1875

Myiasis
A female

W. magnifica larvae cause myiasis in mammals, mainly in sheep, but also in cattle, goats, horses, and rarely in humans. In sheep, larvae chiefly infest genitalia or open wounds. In humans, W. magnifica larvae may infest the ear, eye, mouth,[4] or nose, damaging living tissues;[3] they may also infest open wounds, including after surgery.

Distribution

W. magnifica is found in southern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and China.[5] Their range is increasing, believed to be because of the spread of intensive sheep rearing.

Similar species

The larvae of the North American species, W. vigil and W. opaca, are incapable of penetrating adult skin; infestation occurs only in infants.[3]

References
  1. Schiner, I.R. (1862). "Fauna Austriaca. Die Fliegen (Diptera). Nach der analytischen Methode bearbeitet, mit der Characteristik sämmtlicher europäischer Gattungen, der Beschreibung aller in Deutschland vorkommenden Arten und der Aufzählung aller bisher beschriebene europäischen Arten. Theil I. Heft 6/7 & 8 [part]". 6/7: 441–656 & 657–674 + [i–v] + vi + i–lxxx, 2 pls. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. Pape, Thomas H. (1996). "Catalogue of the Sarcophagidae of the World (Insecta:Diptera)". Memoirs on Entomology, International. Utah: American Entomological Institute. 8: 1–558. ISBN 9781566650632.
  3. West, Anna M. "Myiasis". Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  4. BÜYÜKKURT, Mustafa Cemil , MD.; et al. (2008). "Oral Myiasis in A Child Due to Wohlfahrtia Magnifica" (PDF). Turkiye Klinikleri J Med Sci. 28: 782–785. Retrieved 2009-03-30.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Ruis Martinz; I. Leclercq (1994). "Data on distribution of screwworm fly Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner) in Southwestern Europe (Diptera:Sarcophagidae)" (PDF). Notes Fauniques de Gemblous. 28: 53–60. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
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