Wohlfahrtia spp.

• Also known as flesh fly
• Obligatory parasite

• Occurs in North America

• Parasite of mink and sometimes humans

Wohlfahritia (Image sourced from Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons)

Recognition

• Large 8-14mm long

• Pale grey

• Black stripes on thorax

• Black spots on abdomen

Life cycle

• Larvae deposited directly onto host

• No egg stage

• Larvae moult twice on host then fall to ground to pupate

Pathogenesis

• Larvae penetrate intact skin
  • Cause boil like swellings