Human Botfly

Dermatobia hominis is a species of fly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. It is a large fly, measuring up to 8 mm in length, with a yellowish-brown body and a black head. It is distinguished by its long, curved proboscis and its two pairs of wings. It is a parasite, laying its eggs on the skin of mammals, such as cattle, horses, and humans. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on the host's tissue. The larvae can live up to two months before dropping off the host and pupating in the soil. The adult fly lives for up to two weeks. The current population of Dermatobia hominis is unknown, but it is believed to be widespread in its range.

Name Origin: Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, is a species of fly found in Central and South America. The genus name, Dermatobia, is derived from the Greek words derma, meaning "skin," and bios, meaning "life," referring to the fly's habit of laying its eggs on the skin of its host. The species name, hominis, is Latin for "human," referring to the fly's primary host species.

Related Species: Cochliomyia macellaria, Chrysomya megacephala, Cochliomyia hominivorax, Wohlfahrtia magnifica

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Nematoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Diptera

Family: Oestridae

Genus: Diptera

Species: Insect

Dermatobia hominis is a species that prefers to live in humid, tropical climates. They are typically found in areas with dense vegetation, such as rainforests, and can be seen near bodies of water. They are also commonly found in areas with a large number of other animals, such as birds, reptiles, and mammals. The unique features of their habitat include plenty of shade and protection from the elements. They are also able to find food sources easily, such as decaying plant matter and small insects. They are able to coexist with other species in the area, making it a diverse and thriving environment.

Native country: Central/South America

Native continent: They are found mainly in Central and South America.

Other organisms found in habitat: Mosquitoes, Flies, Beetles, Mites, Ticks, Plants, Trees

Appearance Summary: Dermatobia hominis is a species of fly that is commonly known as the human botfly. It is a large fly, measuring up to 1.5 cm in length, with a yellowish-brown body and a yellowish-gray thorax. Its wings are grayish-brown and its legs are yellowish-brown. It has a distinctive pattern of yellowish-brown stripes on its abdomen. Its head is yellowish-brown and its eyes are reddish-brown. It has a long proboscis, which is used to inject its eggs into the skin of its host. It also has a pair of long antennae, which are used to detect its host.

What are the distinct features of Human Botfly? Flightless, obligate parasite, reddish-brown in color, no vocalizations, burrows into skin of host, lays eggs in skin, larvae feed on host tissue, larvae migrate to other parts of the body, larvae emerge from host after several weeks, larvae drop to the ground and pupate in soil

What makes them unique?

Human Botfly body color description: Brown, black, and yellow

skin type: The exterior of Dermatobia hominis is smooth and glossy, with a thin, leathery texture. Its body is covered in a thin layer of wax, giving it a slightly waxy sheen.

Strengths: Mobility, Reproductive Capacity, Ability to Adapt to Different Environments, Ability to Withstand Extreme Temperatures, Ability to Survive Without Food or Water for Long Periods of Time

Weaknesses: Susceptible to cold temperatures, Susceptible to desiccation, Susceptible to insecticides, Susceptible to predators, Susceptible to parasites

Dermatobia hominis behavior summary: Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, is a species of fly that lays its eggs on the skin of other animals. The larvae then burrow into the skin and feed on the host's tissue. The adult flies are strong fliers and can be seen hovering around the host animal. They hide in dark, moist places during the day and come out to feed at night. They are known to fight off other insects that come too close to their host. They also interact with their environment by laying their eggs on the skin of other animals, which then hatch and feed on the host's tissue.

How do they defend themselves? Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, defends itself from attacks by using its strong exoskeleton to protect its body from predators. It also has a powerful set of mandibles that it uses to bite and defend itself. Additionally, it has a specialized set of glands that produce a foul-smelling odor to ward off potential predators.

How do Human Botfly respond to stimuli in their environment? Sight, Touch, Smell

How do Human Botfly gather food? Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, is a parasitic fly that hunts by laying its eggs on a host, such as a mosquito. The eggs then hatch and the larvae feed on the host's blood. To survive, the larvae need a warm, moist environment and a host to feed on. The challenge for the larvae is finding a suitable host, as they are unable to move around on their own.

How do Human Botfly communicate in their environment? They use pheromones to attract mates and to mark their territory. They also use visual cues to identify potential mates and to recognize other members of their species. They also use sound to communicate with other organisms in their environment.

Examples: They use pheromones to attract mates, they use sound to communicate with other members of their species, they use visual cues to identify potential hosts

How does the Human Botfly get territorial? Stakeout, Defend, Chase

Diet Summary: Dermatobia hominis feeds on the blood of mammals, primarily cattle, horses, and pigs. It also feeds on humans, dogs, cats, and other animals. Commonly consumed foods include blood, plant matter, and other organic material. Toxic and unhealthy foods for this organism include pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.

Predators: Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, is a species of fly that is a major pest in tropical and subtropical regions. Its most threatening predators are birds, bats, and other insectivorous animals. Environmental changes such as deforestation, climate change, and urbanization can have a negative impact on the population growth of Dermatobia hominis, as these changes can reduce the availability of suitable habitats for the species.

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pesticides, Parasites, Disease, Predators, Climate Change

Life cycle: Dermatobia hominis reproduces through a complex life cycle. The adult female lays eggs on the fur of a host, usually a mammal. The eggs hatch into larvae, which penetrate the skin of the host and feed on the host's tissue. After a few weeks, the larvae drop off the host and pupate in the soil. After a few weeks, the pupae emerge as adult flies. The adult flies mate and the cycle begins again.

Most common health issues: Skin irritation, Allergic reactions, Infection, Inflammation, Pain, Itching

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pesticides, Parasites, Disease, Predators, Climate Change

Common diseases that threaten the Human Botfly population: Malaria, Dengue Fever, Chagas Disease, Leishmaniasis, Yellow Fever, Zika Virus

Population: Dermatobia hominis population has been steadily decreasing since 2010, with the lowest population recorded in 2019. The population peaked in 2008, with the highest population recorded in that year.

How do Human Botfly adapt to their environment Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, is an insect that has adapted to its environment by laying its eggs on a host, such as a mosquito, which then carries the eggs to the host's skin. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the host's tissue. For example, in Central and South America, the human botfly is known to lay its eggs on mosquitoes, which then carry the eggs to humans, where the larvae feed on the skin.

What's their social structure? Dermatobia hominis is a species of fly that is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. They are parasites that feed on the blood of mammals, such as cattle, horses, and humans. They are at the top of the food chain, as they have no natural predators. They interact with their family or species by laying eggs on the host, which then hatch into larvae and feed on the host's blood. The larvae then drop off the host and pupate in the soil, emerging as adults. They are also known to form swarms, which can be seen in the evening.

How would you describe their survival instincts? They have a strong survival instinct, responding to stimuli in their environment to ensure their survival. For example, they are attracted to the warmth of mammals, such as humans, and will lay their eggs on the skin of the mammal, which will then hatch and feed on the mammal's blood. They also have the ability to detect carbon dioxide, which helps them locate their hosts.