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Botflies, also known as warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies, are flies of the family Oestridae. Their larvae are internal parasites of mammals, with some species growing in the host's flesh and others within the gut. The human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, is the only species of botfly whose larvae ordinarily parasitise humans. While botflies are not endemic to Australia, there have been cases of Australian travellers returning from regions where botflies are prevalent, such as Central America, with botfly larvae in their bodies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are there botflies in Australia? | Yes, but they are not native to the country. |
| Botfly species in Australia | Human botfly (Dermatobia hominis) |
| Botfly hosts in Australia | Horses, humans |
| Botfly egg-laying sites in Australia | Horse hair |
| Botfly egg-laying season in Australia | Autumn |
| Botfly egg removal tools | Equine safety razors, sharp knives, rough sandpaper |
| Botfly larvae removal methods | Tape and wood glue, tweezers |
| Botfly control methods | Dewormers (e.g., dichlorvos, ivermectin, trichlorfos) |
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What You'll Learn
Botfly larvae as parasites in horses
Botflies, also known as warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies, are flies of the family Oestridae. Their larvae are internal parasites of mammals, with some species growing in the host's flesh and others within the gut. The human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, is the only species of botfly whose larvae ordinarily parasitise humans.
Botflies are parasitic flies that affect horses' digestive tracts, causing health issues. They are common in most stables and are a pest poorly tolerated by both horse and owner. The annoyance and distraction they cause can interfere with feeding and affect nutrition. The migration of bot larvae under the skin in mucous membranes causes lesions that may provide openings for infection. Flies also carry diseases that can seriously harm your horse's health and performance. Without treatment, bots can cause severe damage to the stomach and intestine of your horse.
Female botflies have no mouthparts, so they cannot feed. They live on stored reserves long enough to lay eggs on the hair around a horse's eyes, mouth, nose, or on the legs. G. intestinalis lays up to 1,000 pale-yellow eggs on the horse's forelegs and shoulders. Moisture and friction from the horse's licking cause the eggs to hatch in about seven days. After hatching, G. intestinalis larvae are licked into the mouth. G. nasalis lays about 500 yellow eggs around the chin and throat of the horse. These eggs are not dependent on the horse licking them to hatch. G. nasalis burrows under the skin to the mouth, wandering through it for about a month before migrating to the stomach for overwintering. Then the cycle begins again.
Botfly infections can be difficult to identify in horses. Infestation is usually diagnosed by the presence of eggs on the horse's body or based on the observation of clinical signs. If one horse in a herd is suspected of having a bot infection, it can be assumed that all the horses in the herd will need treatment. Veterinarians can diagnose botfly infections by physical exam, fecal exam, and gastroscopy. On a physical exam, your veterinarian may be able to find botfly eggs attached to your horse's hair as well as ulcerations or sores within the horse's mouth on oral exam. Botfly larvae can sometimes be observed in feces.
Deworming in the fall with a boticide can help reduce the larval burden going into the winter. Ivermectin is generally the treatment of choice for bots. Your primary veterinarian may recommend moxidectin if resistance to ivermectin is observed.
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Botfly eggs appearing on horses in Australia
Botflies, also known as warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies, are flying insects that belong to the Oestridae family. Their larvae are internal parasites of mammals, with some species growing in the host's flesh and others within the gut. The human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, is the only species of botfly whose larvae ordinarily parasitise humans.
In Australia, botfly eggs are commonly found on horses, particularly during the autumn and early summer months. Female adult bot flies lay between 150 to 1000 eggs on the horse's hair, specifically on the legs, shoulders, flanks, chin, throat, and lips. The positioning of these eggs allows the horse to stimulate them with its mouth, causing them to hatch into larvae.
The larvae then make their way into the horse's mouth, burrowing into the tongue, gums, or cheeks. From there, they migrate to the stomach and attach themselves to the mucous lining, remaining there during the winter. After about 10 months, the larvae detach from the lining and are passed out of the body in the faeces.
Horse owners should regularly check their horses for botfly eggs and remove them to prevent infestation. Deworming treatments, such as ivermectin, are also effective in controlling botfly larvae. Botflies carry diseases that can harm the health and performance of horses, so prevention and treatment are crucial.
While botflies typically parasitise mammals, there have been rare cases of human botfly infestations, particularly in South America.
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Botfly larvae removal from the human body
Botflies, also known as warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies, are flies of the family Oestridae. The human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, is the only species of botfly whose larvae routinely parasitise humans. The female botfly deposits up to 50 eggs on the faces of carrier insects such as mosquitoes, which then inject the soon-to-be-born larvae under the skin of unsuspecting humans.
Tape and glue method
Cover the hole created by the botfly larvae with tape and wood glue for 24 hours to starve the botfly of oxygen. After removing the tape and glue, the botfly should rear its head, allowing it to be pulled out with tweezers.
Tape-only method
If you are unable to see a doctor immediately, you can try removing the larvae at home using tape. Cover the wound with tape for about an hour to asphyxiate the larva and make removal easier. After removing the tape, check if the larva has also been removed. If not, apply extra pressure on the outside borders to extract it.
Snake-venom extractor method
A snake-venom extractor can be used to remove the moribund larva. This method is safer when the infestation is identified early.
Occlusive substances method
Apply occlusive substances such as nail polish, petroleum jelly, bacon fat, or plant extracts to the opening in the skin through which the larva breathes. After 24-48 hours, the larva will deflate, allowing it to be expelled by applying pressure around the cavity.
Medical treatment
In more severe cases, surgical removal of the larvae may be necessary. A doctor can use special tweezers to remove the larva after applying antibiotic ointment to prevent further infection.
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Botfly larvae in horse manure
Botflies, also known as warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies, are flies of the family Oestridae. Their larvae are internal parasites of mammals, with some species growing in the host's flesh and others within the gut. The human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, is the only species of botfly whose larvae ordinarily parasitise humans.
Horse bots are the larvae of botflies, Gasterophilus spp. There are several species of botflies that can affect horses. While this is one of the most common parasitic infections, it generally leaves horses unaffected and is easily treated. The main sign of botfly infestation is the presence of botfly eggs on the horse's body, as the majority of horses show no symptoms.
Botfly larvae live in the mouth for several weeks and the stomach for several months. The larvae remain in the equine digestive system until spring or early summer of the following year when they detach and pass through manure. The larvae are cylindrical and are reddish-orange. In one to two months, adult botflies emerge from the developing larvae and the cycle repeats itself.
Horse owners should be vigilant about sanitation and manure/pasture management to prevent bot fly infection. This includes collecting and composting manure from stalls and paddocks, as well as frequent mowing. It is also helpful to co-graze horses or rotate pastures with other livestock such as sheep or cattle to break the life cycle of bot flies.
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Botfly larvae in humans travelling to Australia
Botflies, also known as warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies, are flies of the family Oestridae. Their larvae are internal parasites of mammals, with some species growing in the host's flesh and others within the gut. The human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, is the only species of botfly known to parasitize humans routinely. It is found in Central and South America and deposits up to 50 eggs on the faces of carrier insects such as mosquitoes, which then bite humans and inject the soon-to-be-born larvae under the skin.
Myiasis is the invasion of living tissue or organs by fly larvae, and while it does not occur in Australia, there are a handful of cases among Australian travellers every year. For example, an Australian couple travelling in Bolivia became infected with human botfly larvae that grew under their skin and fed on their flesh. Another case involved a Victorian man who returned from a holiday in Central America with two bot fly larvae on the back of his neck.
If you are travelling to a region where myiasis occurs and plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, it is important to take precautions to prevent infection. This includes applying a personal insect repellent containing an effective active ingredient. If you do become infected, it is important to seek medical attention. Treating myiasis typically involves covering the breathing hole with Vaseline to cut off the air supply to the larva, and then squeezing it out or removing it with tweezers or surgery.
It is important to note that removing botfly larvae from the body can be painful and requires tremendous care to ensure that they are removed in one piece. In some cases, a doctor may need to surgically remove the larva under local anaesthetic. Once the larva is removed, ongoing hygiene is important to avoid secondary infection, and medication may also be prescribed depending on the species of fly involved.
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Frequently asked questions
Botflies are present in Australia, but they are not endemic to the country. There are a handful of cases of myiasis among Australian travellers every year.
Myiasis is an invasion of living tissue or organs by fly larvae.
Botflies deposit eggs on a host or use an intermediate vector such as mosquitoes. The larvae are stimulated by the warmth and proximity of a large mammal host and burrow underneath their skin.
A red sore develops into a boil-like lump over 5-8 weeks. A pin-sized hole then appears on the top, allowing the maggot to breathe.
To prevent botfly bites, cover up with long sleeves and pants, and always wear footwear when outdoors.
