Dermatobia hominis

Background

• Tropical bot fly, American warble fly, tórsalo, colmoyote, moyocuil suglacuru, and berne

Life Cycle

• Eggs are attached to abdomen of a mosquito (phoresis), or rest on foliage
• Warmth from a mammal host causes egg to hatch, releasing the first instar (stage I) larva to penetrate the skin
• It develops into second instar (stage II) after 5 to 10 weeks, then third instar (stage III)
• It then leaves the host to pupate in the soil

Epidemiology

• Most common cause of myiasis in Central and South America

Clinical Manifestations

• Usually a single furuncular lesion
• Can cause pain or tenderness, occasionally with paroxysms of lancinating pain
• Can have sensation of movement or crawling
• Can develop a secondary bacterial infection