Genus Wohlfahrtia Rank Species | Family Sarcophagidae Scientific name Wohlfahrtia magnifica Higher classification Wohlfahrtia Order Fly | |
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Similar Wohlfahrtia, Fly, Flesh fly, Insect, Chrysomya bezziana | ||
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; third-instar larvae are 5-7 mm in length.
Contents
Myiasis
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, or nose, damaging living tissues; 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. Their range is increasing, believed to be because of 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.
