Gasterophilus spp.

Horse Bot Fly - Dennis Ray - Wikimedia Commons

• Also known as the horse bot fly

Introduction

The species Gasterophilus, is more commonly referred to as the 'Bot fly.' It is an obligate parasite found on horses, donkeys, mules, zebras and elephants.

Infection is particularly common in horses, with around 30-60% infected during the winter months.

Within the United Kingdom there are three species of veterinary importance; G. intestinalis which is the most common,G. nasalis, andG. haemorrhoidalis which is rare.

G. nigricornis andG. inermis are also of veterinary significance, but not currently within the UK.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta
Order	Diptera
Family	Oestridae
Genus	Gasterophilus

Life Cycle

L1 are extremely small and motile, and begin devlopment in the mouth, tongue and gums of the host. The development of L1 into L2 occurs on the pharynx. L2 then attaches to the base of the tongue ad slowly migrates to the stomach.

L3 attaches to the squamous gastric mucosa along the margo pliacatus, in the case of G. intestinalis. G. nasalis attaches to the dorsoproximal part of the duodenum, and G. haemorrhoidalis attaches to the gastric epithelium within the stomach.

The larvae then remain and develop within the stomach for around 10-12 months. They mature in the following spring or early summer (generally between May and September), detach from their surface and are passed out in the host faeces. The larvae then penetrate the soil, where they transform into pupae and the flies hatch 30 to 40 days later.

They are only found on pasture, as they do not survive well on stable bedding. The pupae are known to be sensitive to frost, moisture and flooding, so the environmental conditions present play a significant role in the success of the parasite.

Fasciola hepatica (Copyright Notafly, Wikimedia Commons)

Identification

• Medium to large flies at 10-20mm long

• Look similar to drone bumble bees
  • Body covered with dense yellow hair
  • Dark coloured hairs produce a banding pattern

• Clear wings with brown patches

Life cycle

• Adults are most active in late summer

• Eggs are laid on the body and hatch spontaneously or are stimulated to hatch through an increase in warmth and moisture from the animal self-grooming. They are laid in different areas according to species
  • G. intestinalis eggs are laid in the hair of the shoulders and fore legs
  • G. nasalis eggs are laid in the intermandibular area
  • G. haemorrhoidalis eggs are laid around the lips

• Creamy-white eggs

• 1-2mm in length

• Larvae crawl into the mouth and penetrate the tissues of the tongue and buccal mucosa

• Larvae then emerge after a couple of weeks and are swallowed

• Larvae pass into the stomach and attach to the gastric mucosa
  • Larvae are now known as bots

• Each species attaches to a specific part of the stomach
  • G. intestinalis attaches to the cardiac region
  • G. nasalis attaches to the pylorus

• After 10-12 months in the stomach, the larvae detach and are passed out in the faeces
  • G. haemorrhoidalis attaches to the rectal mucosa before being passed out

• Larvae pupate on the ground

• Adults hatch after 1-2 months and survive from a few days to 2 weeks
  • Adults have non-functional mouthparts so cannot feed

• There is only 1 generation per year in temperate regions of the world

Pathogenesis

• Adults cause annoyance when egg laying
  • Disturbance and panic can ensue

• Larvae cause a marked inflammatory reaction when attached to the gastric mucosa
  • Ring like thickening around the base of each attached larvae

• Large numbers of larvae may interfere with the passage of food and action of gastric sphincters

• G. haemorrhoidalis can cause mild irritation to the rectal wall

• Host reaction to larvae in the mouth is minimal

Control

• Treatment of horses with insecticides over winter
  • Breaks the life cycle as all the population are present as bots in the stomach

• If eggs are present in late summer, the horse's coat can be sponged with an insecticide
  • Stimulates hatching
  • Kills larvae