Handbook of Medical EntomologyRiley, William A. (William Albert)
Science
Handbook of Medical Entomology
Riley, William A. (William Albert)
Insect pests; Insects as carriers of disease; Medical parasitology
Brumpt cites a curious case of accidental parasitism by a coleopterous
larva belonging to the genus _Necrobia_. This larva was extracted from a
small tumor, several millimeters long, on the surface of the conjunctiva
of the eye. The larvæ of this genus ordinarily live in decomposing flesh
and cadavers.
DIPTEROUS LARVÆ
[Illustration: 99. Piophila casei. After Graham-Smith.]
MYASIS--By this term (spelled also myiasis, and myiosis), is meant
parasitism by dipterous larvæ. Such parasitism may be normal, as in the
cases already described under the heading parasitic Diptera, or it may
be facultative, due to free-living larvæ being accidentally introduced
into wounds or the body-cavities of man. Of this latter type, there is a
multitude of cases on record, relating to comparatively few species. The
literature of the subject, like that relating to facultative parasitism
in general, is unsatisfactory, for most of the determinations of species
have been very loose. Indeed, so little has been known regarding the
characteristics of the larvæ concerned that in many instances they could
not be exactly determined. Fortunately, several workers have undertaken
comparative studies along this line. The most comprehensive publication
is that of Banks (1912), entitled "The structure of certain dipterous
larvæ, with particular reference to those in human food."
Without attempting an exhaustive list, we shall discuss here the more
important species of Diptera whose larvæ are known to cause myasis,
either external or internal. The following key will serve to determine
those most likely to be encountered. The writers would be glad to
examine specimens not readily identifiable, if accompanied by exact data
relative to occurrence.
_a._ Body more or less flattened, depressed; broadest in the middle,
each segment with dorsal, lateral, and ventral fleshy processes, of
which the laterals, at least, are more or less spiniferous (fig.
101). _Fannia_ (= _Homalomyia_).
In _F. canicularis_ the dorsal processes are nearly as long as the
laterals; in _F. scalaris_ the dorsal processes are short spinose
tubercles.
_aa._ Body cylindrical, or slender conical tapering toward the head;
without fleshy lateral processes (fig. 105).
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