Rat-tailed maggots are the larvae of certain species of hoverflies belonging to the tribesEristalini and Sericomyiini.[1] A characteristic feature of rat-tailed maggots is a tube-like, telescoping breathing siphon located at its posterior end.[2] This acts like a snorkel, allowing the larva to breathe air while submerged. The siphon is usually about as long as the maggot's body (20 mm (0.79 in) when mature), but can be extended as long as 150 mm (5.9 in). This organ gives the larva its common name.[2]
Eristalis tenax larva
The most commonly encountered rat-tailed maggot is the larva of the drone fly, Eristalis tenax. It lives in stagnant, oxygen-deprived water, with a high organic content. It is fairly tolerant of pollution and can live in sewage lagoons and cesspools.[2]
These larvae, commonly called "mousies", are cultured and sold as fish bait. They are especially popular in ice fishing.[3]
Infectionedit
Occasionally, cases have been documented of human intestinal myiasis caused by the rat-tailed maggot. Symptoms can range from none (asymptomatic) to abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, or pruritus ani. Infection can be caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water, but doubts have been expressed that accidentally ingested fly larvae could survive in the gastrointestinal tract. Zumpt proposed an alternative called "rectal myiasis". Flies, attracted to feces, may deposit their eggs or larvae near or into the anus, and the larvae then penetrate further into the rectum. They can survive feeding on feces at this site, as long as the breathing tube reaches towards the anus.[2][4]
^ abcdAguilera A, Cid A, Regueiro BJ, Prieto JM, Noya M (September 1999). "Intestinal myiasis caused by Eristalis tenax". J. Clin. Microbiol. 37 (9): 3082. doi:10.1128/JCM.37.9.3082-3082.1999. PMC85471. PMID 10475752.
^Dictionary of Ichthyology; Brian W. Coad and Don E. McAllister 2009-12-06 at the Wayback Machine at ww.briancoad.com
^Whish-Wilson PB (2000). "A possible case of intestinal myiasis due to Eristalis tenax". Med. J. Aust. 173 (11–12): 652. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb139374.x. PMID 11379520. S2CID 12898612.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rat-tailed maggots.
Rat-tailed maggot on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
April 11, 2024
tailed, maggot, larvae, certain, species, hoverflies, belonging, tribes, eristalini, sericomyiini, characteristic, feature, tailed, maggots, tube, like, telescoping, breathing, siphon, located, posterior, this, acts, like, snorkel, allowing, larva, breathe, wh. Rat tailed maggots are the larvae of certain species of hoverflies belonging to the tribes Eristalini and Sericomyiini 1 A characteristic feature of rat tailed maggots is a tube like telescoping breathing siphon located at its posterior end 2 This acts like a snorkel allowing the larva to breathe air while submerged The siphon is usually about as long as the maggot s body 20 mm 0 79 in when mature but can be extended as long as 150 mm 5 9 in This organ gives the larva its common name 2 Eristalis tenax larvaThe most commonly encountered rat tailed maggot is the larva of the drone fly Eristalis tenax It lives in stagnant oxygen deprived water with a high organic content It is fairly tolerant of pollution and can live in sewage lagoons and cesspools 2 Contents 1 Commercial use 2 Infection 3 Gallery 4 References 5 External linksCommercial use editThese larvae commonly called mousies are cultured and sold as fish bait They are especially popular in ice fishing 3 Infection editOccasionally cases have been documented of human intestinal myiasis caused by the rat tailed maggot Symptoms can range from none asymptomatic to abdominal pain nausea and vomiting or pruritus ani Infection can be caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water but doubts have been expressed that accidentally ingested fly larvae could survive in the gastrointestinal tract Zumpt proposed an alternative called rectal myiasis Flies attracted to feces may deposit their eggs or larvae near or into the anus and the larvae then penetrate further into the rectum They can survive feeding on feces at this site as long as the breathing tube reaches towards the anus 2 4 Gallery edit nbsp Eristalis tenax larva nbsp E tenax larva nbsp Unidentified rat tailed maggot from Australia nbsp Unidentified rat tailed maggot from the PhilippinesReferences edit Alan E Stubbs amp Steven J Falk 1983 British Hoverflies An Illustrated Identification Guide 2nd ed London British Entomological and Natural History Society pp 284 300 ISBN 1 899935 03 7 a b c d Aguilera A Cid A Regueiro BJ Prieto JM Noya M September 1999 Intestinal myiasis caused by Eristalis tenax J Clin Microbiol 37 9 3082 doi 10 1128 JCM 37 9 3082 3082 1999 PMC 85471 PMID 10475752 Dictionary of Ichthyology Brian W Coad and Don E McAllister Archived 2009 12 06 at the Wayback Machine at ww briancoad com Whish Wilson PB 2000 A possible case of intestinal myiasis due to Eristalis tenax Med J Aust 173 11 12 652 doi 10 5694 j 1326 5377 2000 tb139374 x PMID 11379520 S2CID 12898612 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rat tailed maggots Rat tailed maggot on the UF IFAS Featured Creatures Web site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rat tailed maggot amp oldid 1213098312, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
