Prevalence of Cuterebra emasculator in squirrels in Mississippi

Between 1977 and 1979, 1,997 gray squirrels (Scriurus carolinensis) and 290 fox squirrels (S. niger) were examined for Cuterebra emasculator myiasis. Approximately 19% of the gray and 5% of the fox squirrels were infested with 1.9 and 2.5 larvae per host, respectively. Myiasis was seen between 14 August and 29 October. Peak infestations occurred in the second week of September. Adult and subadult squirrels had higher infestations than juveniles. Multiple infestations occurred in 51% of the hosts. Larval development sites were most prevalent in the axillary and back regions. The parasite was most prevalent in bottomland or flatland topography and hardwood habitat in east-central Mississippi. Fecundity of four virgin female flies averaged 771 eggs.