Field Guide to Venomous and Medically Important Invertebrates ...

Wohlfahrtia magnifica (family Sarcophagidae) is an important obligatory parasite in the wounds
and natural orifices of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Cases of myiasis caused by
this species have been reported from Turkey, but occurrences are relatively rare.
Figure 173. An adult sarcophagid fly. Photo: source unknown.
Other Flies That Cause Myiasis
Many other flies are known to cause obligative myiasis in people. Sporadic cases of
gastrointestinal myiasis, caused by larvae of a number of flies have been reported from various
parts of the world but these are generally innocuous and self-limiting. For example,
gastrointestinal myiasis attributed to Lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) has been reported
from people in Jordan. Intestinal myiasis in humans usually is caused by the accidental ingestion
of undercooked food infested with larvae. Phorid flies (Phoridae, especially Megaselia scalaris)
have been implicated in passive myiasis in humans.
Figure 174. Lucilia serricata. Photo: Alan Hadley.
Figure 175. Megaselia scalaris. Photo: Brian Brown.
Treatment of Myiasis
Treatment of myiasis can be done by forcing the maggots to the skin's surface by cutting-off
their air supply, or by physical removal to include surgical procedures. For bot flies, an
application of petroleum jelly or similar substance will encourage the maggot to move towards
the surface, exposing more of the maggot's body which can then be extracted. A local anesthetic
and incision to extract the maggot is another common method of treatment. Myiasis is rarely a