Chrysomya bezziana
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| Also known as: | Screw Worm Old world screwworm |
| Chrysomya bezziana | |
|---|---|
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Diptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae |
| Species | Chrysomya bezziana |
Hosts
Cattle, sheep, dogs and occasionally humans.
Identification
C. bezziana is a blue/green fly, with 4 longitudinal black stripes, and around 8-10mm in length. They are similar to Calliphora spp., and are of the family Calliphoridae.
Life Cycle
C. bezziana is an obligate agent of myiasis. The female lays eggs in fresh open wounds or body orifices. Eggs then hatch and the larvae begin to penetrate the skin. The larvae then mature and begin to pupate, before becoming fully reproductive adults.
The complete life cycle from egg to adult is 2-3 weeks.