A number of botflies in North and South America can deposit larvae that cause furuncular myiasis, a condition that resembles a furuncle. A larva can be speciated based on its histologic features.
Botflies in North and South America:
(1) Cordylobia anthropophaga (tumbu fly)
(2) Cuterebra species
(3) Dermatobia hominis
Histologic parameters:
(1) thickness of the cuticle layer in microns
(2) size of spines on the outer surface
(3) distribution of spines on the outer surface
Thickness of Cuticle Layer in microns
Size of Spines
Distribution of Spines
Species
< 5 microns
diminutive with a diameter < 15 microns
NA
second instar of Cuterebra species
> 25 microns
small
intermediate spacing
Cordylobia anthropophaga
> 50 microns
large
widely spaced
Dermatobia hominis
> 50 microns
large
densely spaced
third instar of Cuterebra species
where:
• Any sections showing a cuticle thickness in the range of 25 to 50 microns would support the diagnosis of Cordylobia anthropophaga.
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