SECONDARY SCREWWORM FLY

SECONDARY SCREWWORM FLY

Cochliomyia macellaria
BLOW FLIES (Calliphoridae)

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The Secondary Screwworm Fly is approximately 3/8 inch (20 mm) long. It has large dark red eyes. The thorax is greenish-blue with prominent black longitudinal stripes. The abdomen is greenish-blue and round. This fly was identified by volunteer experts from the BugGuide website.

 

The Secondary Screwworm Fly is probably common at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. The individual shown here was photographed at Neale Woods in September.

 

The name, Secondary, comes from the fact that it must have an existing wound to infest. It feeds only on dead tissue. The Primary Screwworm ( C. hominivorax) feeds on living tissue. Females lay eggs just once in a lifetime. They lay from 100 – 400 eggs. The larvae hatch in 12 – 21 hours after being laid. The entire life cycle lasts an average of 21 days. This species is forensically important as it is often associated with dead bodies and carcasses.

 

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