Flies and myiasis

Many species of flies cause insect bites. The Lutzomyia and Phlebotomus flies, which carry leishmaniasis, and the Simulium flies, which carry onchocerciasis, have the greatest impact. Fly larvae, or maggots, can be used to cleanse necrotic debris from a wound. Although repulsive, this may be effective. Some larvae are obligatory parasites of warm-blooded animals and sometimes of man. These must burrow into the flesh in order to develop. Screwworms cause great problems for livestock and, rarely, for man. Dermatobia hominis is the most common such parasite seen in the United States. Infection with this parasite, botfly myiasis, is described in detail.