Prevalence and molecular identification of hypodermosis from slaughtered cattle in Sulaymaniyah province, Iraq.

INTRODUCTION: Hypodermosis is a subcutaneous infestation in cattle that is caused by larvae of Hypoderma spp. and it is an economically important disease in the cattle industry. This study aimed to find the prevalence rate of hypodermosis and identify variations in the COX1 gene among isolates present in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted in a Sulaymaniyah slaughterhouse from March to July 2021. The carcasses of 867 cattle were carefully checked before and after skinning them to record the presence of boils containing the larvae of Hypoderma spp. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using TaqI enzyme, and sequencing of the COX1 gene were used for diagnosis and molecular characterization of Hypoderma spp. RESULTS: The rate of infestation with Hypoderma bovis was 1.61% and the highest rate (3.57%) was detected in April. The disease was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in local breeds at 2.79%. PCR-RFLP confirmed that all recorded species were H. bovis. The result was further confirmed by Sanger sequencing of the COX1 gene of the isolated species. Comparison of the sequences of the conserved COX1 gene of the parasite led to identification of six different haplotypes in the research area. Two of the haplotypes were previously recorded internationally, while four new haplotypes associated with four novel mutations were recorded for the first time in the study region. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results we can conclude that H. bovis is a widespread species in the research region.

Molecular identification of Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in a case of primary cutaneous myiasis in sheep at southern Brazil.

Sheep farming has been growing in Brazil, driven by an expanding consumer market due to greater acceptance of its meat and derivatives. There are several factors that limit sheep production, and one of them is infestation by ectoparasites, which cause stress in animals, weight loss, poor development, low productivity, low quality wool and reduced fertility. Chrysomya albiceps is a species of blowfly belonging to the Calliphoridae family that occurs in neotropical regions, where it causes secondary myiasis. We identified here a rare case of cutaneous myiasis with the presence of tissue lesions caused by C. albiceps in sheep in southern Brazil. We highlight the need to carry out more in-depth studies regarding the biology of these insects, with the aim of proving this atypical behavior for Brazil.

Effectiveness of lotilaner on furuncular myiasis in dogs naturally infested with Dermatobia hominis (Diptera: Cuterebridae).

An evaluation was made of the larvicidal efficacy of lotilaner (Credeli®) in the treatment of dogs naturally infested with Dermatobia hominis larvae. A total of 12 dogs presenting at least three live D. hominis larvae were medicated. The animals were medicated orally with a single dose of no less than 20 mg/kg lotilaner. After drug administration, the animals remained at their homes, and observations were made to verify the larvicidal effect 6 hours after treatment. Live larvae were considered any parasite that exhibited motility after removal. For each animal was using the formula: 100 x [(total of live larvae before treatment - total live larvae after treatment) /total of live larvae before treatment] as criteria for evaluating lotilaner efficacy. A total of 98 larvae were counted in 12 dogs, with an average of 8.1 larvae per animal. The effectiveness of lotilaner was 80.6%. Nineteen larvae were found alive, albeit presenting hypomobility and lethargic behavior. However, note that the evaluation was performed just six hours after administration of the drug. Lotilaner administered orally in a single dose of 20 mg/kg showed 80.6% efficacy six hours after treating dogs naturally infested with D. hominis.

Quantitative proteomics reveals significant variation in host responses of cattle with differing buffalo fly susceptibility.

Background: Control of buffalo flies (Haematobia irritans exigua, BFs) relies mainly on chemical methods; however, resistance to insecticides is widespread in BF populations. Breeding for resistance to BFs represents a possible alternative, but direct phenotyping of animals is laborious and often inaccurate. The availability of reliable diagnostic biomarker(s) to identify low BF carrier cattle would facilitate rapid and accurate selection for genetic improvement. However, limited information is available regarding differences amongst cattle in host responses to BF infestation. Methods: This study investigated the variation in Brangus cattle serum proteomic profiles before (naïve) and after peak BF exposure, in low (LF) and high BF burden (HF) cattle. Cattle were phenotyped for susceptibility based on BF counts on multiple dates using visual and photographic techniques. The relative abundance of serum proteins in cattle before and after exposure to BFs was analysed using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion mass spectrometry (SWATH-MS). Results: Exposure to BFs elicited similar responses in HF and LF cattle, with 79 and 70 proteins, respectively, showing significantly different abundances post exposure as compared to their relevant naïve groups. The comparison of serum samples from naïve HF and LF cattle identified 44 significantly differentially abundant (DA) proteins, while 37 significantly DA proteins were identified from the comparison between HF and LF cattle post-exposure to BFs. Proteins with higher abundance in naïve LF cattle were enriched in blood coagulation mechanisms that were sustained after exposure to BFs. Strong immune response mechanisms were also identified in naïve LF cattle, whereas these responses developed in HF cattle only after exposure to BF. High BF cattle also showed active anticoagulation mechanisms in response to BF exposure, including downregulation of coagulation factor IX and upregulation of antithrombin-III, which might facilitate BF feeding. Conclusion: Underlying differences in the abundance of proteins related to blood coagulation and immune response pathways could potentially provide indirect indicators of susceptibility to BF infestation and biomarkers for selecting more BF-resistant cattle.

Efficacy of Afoxolaner (NexGard®) in the treatment of furuncular myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis fly (Diptera: Cuterebridae) in naturally infested dogs.

Furuncular myiasis due to Dermatobia hominis is the second most common skin diseases in dogs that live in tropical climates in Central and South America, causing discomfort and injuring in the connective tissue of the affected dog. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Afoxolaner (Nexgard®) in the treatment of canine furuncular myiasis. Twenty-five dogs naturally infested with D. hominis were selected and received a single oral dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight of Afoxolaner (NexGard®). Larval infestations were classified as light (< 2 larvae), moderate (2 to 5 larvae) and severe (> 5 larvae), according to the number of larvae found in the wound. Twenty-four hours post-treatment, infested lesions were inspected, and all larvae were mechanically removed from the lesion site. All removed larvae were identified as D. hominis larvae and were found dead within 24 h after treatment, demonstrating 100% larvicidal efficacy of Afoxolaner against D. hominis larvae.

Antennal transcriptome analysis reveals sensory receptors potentially associated with host detection in the livestock pest Lucilia cuprina.

BACKGROUND: Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is the main causative agent of flystrike of sheep in Australia and New Zealand. Female flies lay eggs in an open wound or natural orifice, and the developing larvae eat the host's tissues, a condition called myiasis. To improve our understanding of host-seeking behavior, we quantified gene expression in male and female antennae based on their behavior. METHODS: A spatial olfactometer was used to evaluate the olfactory response of L. cuprina mated males and gravid females to fresh or rotting beef. Antennal RNA-Seq analysis was used to identify sensory receptors differentially expressed between groups. RESULTS: Lucilia cuprina females were more attracted to rotten compared to fresh beef (> fivefold increase). However, males and some females did not respond to either type of beef. RNA-Seq analysis was performed on antennae dissected from attracted females, non-attracted females and males. Transcripts encoding sensory receptors from 11 gene families were identified above a threshold (≥ 5 transcript per million) including 49 ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs), two ammonium transporters (AMTs), 37 odorant receptors (ORs), 16 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 5 gustatory receptors (GRs), 22 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 9 CD36-sensory neuron membrane proteins (CD36/SNMPs), 4 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 4 myeloid lipid-recognition (ML) and Niemann-Pick C2 disease proteins (ML/NPC2), 2 pickpocket receptors (PPKs) and 3 transient receptor potential channels (TRPs). Differential expression analyses identified sex-biased sensory receptors. CONCLUSIONS: We identified sensory receptors that were differentially expressed between the antennae of both sexes and hence may be associated with host detection by female flies. The most promising for future investigations were as follows: an odorant receptor (LcupOR46) which is female-biased in L. cuprina and Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel, 1858; an ABC transporter (ABC G23.1) that was the sole sensory receptor upregulated in the antennae of females attracted to rotting beef compared to non-attracted females; a female-biased ammonia transporter (AMT_Rh50), which was previously associated with ammonium detection in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830. This is the first report suggesting a possible role for ABC transporters in L. cuprina olfaction and potentially in other insects.

First Molecular Diagnosis of Oestrus ovis (Linnaeus, 1758) Larvae Causing Conjunctival Ophthalmomyiasis in Mexico City, Mexico.

PURPOSE: Human ophthalmomyiasis is a rare ocular parasitosis that results from the accidental infestation of dipteran larvae of several species, including Oestrus ovis (Linnaeus, 1758). This study aims to present the fourth documented human case of ophthalmomyiasis in Mexico, identifying the etiological agent through morphological and molecular analyses. Additionally, we investigated the phylogenetic position and genetic distances among different specimens globally characterized based on mitochondrial Cox1 sequences. METHODS: A total of five larval specimens were extracted from the patient's eye, with two specimens allocated for identification based on morphological features using a stereomicroscope, and the remaining three preserved in absolute ethanol, one of them used for subsequent analysis using molecular methods. The mitochondrial Cox1 region was amplified and sequenced using automated Sanger sequencing. The resulting sequence was deposited in GenBank under accession number OR440699 and subjected to BlastN analysis against 35 other Cox1 sequences of O. ovis from GenBank. The identity and phylogenetic position of the strains were further explored using parsimony and maximum likelihood phylogenetic methods. RESULTS: Morphological examination of the larval specimens extracted from the patient's eye unequivocally identified them as O. ovis species. BlastN analysis and comprehensive phylogenetic investigations involving a total of 36 Cox1 sequences confirmed the taxonomic identity of the larvae. Notably, our sequence was positioned within the cluster formed by the Brazilian and two Iranian samples. This finding underscores a shared genetic ancestry among these distinct geographical isolates and provides valuable insights into the evolutionary relationships within O. ovis populations. CONCLUSION: The presence of O. ovis infestation in Mexico City suggests potential shifts in environmental conditions favoring fly proliferation, highlighting the need for vigilance in urban healthcare settings.

Molecular epidemiology of the Old World screwworm fly (OWSF) in Iraq, and the genetic structure of various OWSF populations worldwide.

Despite being endemic in Iraq, no reports have been published in the past 10 years to update the molecular epidemiology of the Old World screwworm fly (OWSF), Chrysomya bezziana, in this country. In the present study, 130 sheep from 10 Iraqi governorates were found infected with C. bezziana larvae, whose identities were PCR-confirmed based on the cytochrome b (Cytb) gene, and 23 isolates from various tested governorates were successfully sequenced. Although most isolates (n = 20) belonged to the common haplotype circulating in Iraq, two new haplotypes were detected. Significant changes in OWSF epidemiology in Iraq were also suggested, since infestations were detected, for the first time, in Nineveh governorate. Isolates of the present study were combined to those previously published from Iraq and worldwide, collected after searching the GenBank, and various genetic and population structure analyses were conducted. These isolates displayed a great statistically significant value when tested for the purifying (negative) selection, suggesting the limited occurrence of genetic variations, which was evidenced by the high sequence conservation (C = 0.937) value detected. A few isolates from Africa were revealed during our search, and clustered in a separate lineage other than that of the Asian isolates. The latter displayed different genetic variation patterns when compared. For example, isolates from geographically separate regions, e.g., the Gulf Arab countries and South-Eastern Asia had marked genetic differences. On the other hand, isolates from regions with close geographic proximity (the Gulf Arab countries and Iran) had limited genetic subdivision. This is not the case when comparing isolates from 10 islands in the Indonesian Archipelago. Populations from Sumatra and Sumba were isolated and displayed high genetic variations toward the other populations. On the contrary, populations from Sulawesi, Lombok and Sumbawa displayed limited genetic variations. This is particularly important, since it can help detecting the dynamics of establishing the sterile insect technique over various regions as an effective control strategy against the OWSFs.

First record of nasopharyngeal myiasis caused by Cephalopina titillator (Clark, 1816) in camel (Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus, 1758) in Uzbekistan.

Nasopharyngeal myiasis caused by the camel nasal bot, Cephalopina titillator, is very common in old world camelids and is usually found at necropsy or during meat inspection. Herein we report massive infection with C. titillator in a 9 years old female one-humped camel slaughtered on February 18, 2024 in the village of Kizil Uy, Nukus District, Republic of Karakalpakstan, northwestern Uzbekistan. A total of 69 larvae: 20 first stage larva (28.9%), 31  second stage larva (44.9%), and 18 third stage larva (26.0%) were detected in the nasal passages and pharynx of the camel. Morphological and morphometrical characters of all larval stages are illustrated and detailed in this article. To our knowledge this is the first record of camel nasal bot infestation in Uzbekistan. Future epidemiological studies are needed to shed light on the prevalence, seasonal fluctuation, clinical impact and economic burden of nasopharyngeal myiasis in dromedary camels of the country.

Prevalence and seasonal aspects of parasitism by Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae) in sheep from Mato Grosso State, Brazil.

Oestrus ovis larvae are obligate parasites of vertebrates and cause cavitary myiasis (oestrosis) in sheep and goats. It is also reported as a zoonosis causing ophthalmomyiasis and nasopharyngeal myiasis. Despite being relatively common in Brazil, epidemiological studies on O. ovis are scarce. Considering that the infestation is influenced by the climate and biomes of the studied region, we aimed to investigate the seasonal prevalence of O. ovis among slaughtered sheep in the northern region of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The heads of sheep (n=697) slaughtered at a slaughterhouse in the municipality of Terra Nova do Norte (November 2011 to November 2013) were collected to count, catalog, and identify the larvae found in the upper respiratory tract. Overall, 45.77% (319/697) of the animals were infested with 2,412 recovered larvae, 96.89% (2,337/2,412) of which were identified at the species level as O. ovis. Seasonal variations in prevalence ranged from 41% (spring) to 56% (summer); however, no correlation was observed between prevalence and season, mean humidity, or temperature. In conclusion, parasitism by O. ovis in sheep in the studied area, occurs year-round, considering the occurrence of larvae (L1, L2, and L3) throughout the year, probably because of the area's environmental conditions.

Complete Mitochondrial Genome for Lucilia cuprina dorsalis (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from the Northern Territory, Australia.

The Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina dorsalis, is a major sheep ectoparasite causing subcutaneous myiasis (flystrike), which can lead to reduced livestock productivity and, in severe instances, death of the affected animals. It is also a primary colonizer of carrion, an efficient pollinator, and used in maggot debridement therapy and forensic investigations. In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of L. c. dorsalis from the Northern Territory (NT), Australia, where sheep are prohibited animals, unlike the rest of Australia. The mt genome is 15,943 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and a non-coding control region. The gene order of the current mt genome is consistent with the previously published L. cuprina mt genomes. Nucleotide composition revealed an AT bias, accounting for 77.5% of total mt genome nucleotides. Phylogenetic analyses of 56 species/taxa of dipterans indicated that L. c. dorsalis and L. sericata are the closest among all sibling species of the genus Lucilia, which helps to explain species evolution within the family Luciliinae. This study provides the first complete mt genome sequence for L. c. dorsalis derived from the NT, Australia to facilitate species identification and the examination of the evolutionary history of these blowflies.

Using weather data to predict the presence of Lucilia spp. on sheep farms in New Zealand.

Flystrike remains an important animal health issue on New Zealand sheep farms. To date no useful predictive tool to assist farmers to develop control options has been available. The aim of this study was to use National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) virtual climate station data in New Zealand to develop a weather-based model to accurately predict the presence of Lucilia spp. on sheep farms throughout New Zealand. Three LuciTrap® baited fly traps were positioned on each of eight sheep farms throughout New Zealand (5 in the North Island and 3 in the South Island). The traps were put out for both the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons. They were emptied each week and the flies morphologically identified; with the counts of Lucilia cuprina and L. sericata combined as Lucilia spp. The count data for Lucilia spp. for each week of trapping was transformed into a binary outcome and a generalised linear mixed effects models fitted to the data, with farm as a random effect. The dependent variable was Lucilia spp. flies caught, yes or no, and the independent variables were mean weekly climate variables from the nearest NIWA virtual climate station to that farm. The model was trained on the 2018-2019 catch data and tested on the 2019-2020 catch data. A cut point was identified which maximised the model's ability to correctly predict whether Lucilia spp. were present or not for the 2019-2020 catch data, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) of the model calculated. The final model included just 3 significant variables, mean weekly 10 cm soil temperature, mean weekly soil moisture index, and mean weekly wind speed at 10 m. Mean weekly 10 cm soil temperature accounted for 64.7% of the variance explained by the model, mean weekly soil moisture index 34.7% and mean weekly wind speed at 10 m only 0.6%. The results showed that the predictive model had a sensitivity of 0.93 (95% CI = 0.80-0.98) and a specificity of 0.75 (95% CI = 0.62-0.85), using a cut point for the probability of Lucilia spp. being present on farm = 0.383. This model provides New Zealand farmers with a tool which will allow them to know when Lucilia spp. flies will likely be present and thus more accurately plan their interventions to prevent flystrike.

Control of Rhipicephalus microplus on taurine cattle with fluralaner in a subtropical region.

BACKGROUND: In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, a region with a subtropical climate, Rhipicephalus microplus is present in taurine cattle raised for beef and milk. In addition, ticks resistant to multiple acaricides are present in this region. Recently, fluralaner (isoxazoline) was launched on the market. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the effects of fluralaner for the control of R. microplus on taurine cattle. In addition, occurrence of myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae after tick parasitism and weight gain of cattle during the experimental period were evaluated. METHODS: Thirty naturally infested cattle were divided into two experimental groups: T01, treated with fluralaner (2.5 mg/kg) pour-on; T02, control. T01 received fluralaner on Days 0 (early summer in January), 42 and 84 (early autumn), whereas T02, a control group, received palliative treatment with a spray formulation when the group mean was ≥ 30 ticks. Counts of R. microplus females and calculation of the efficacy of fluralaner were performed on Days 3, 7, 14, 28, 35, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98, 112 and 126. The occurrence of myiasis was assessed throughout the study period. In addition, the weight, weight gain and daily weight gain of the animals were evaluated. RESULTS: In the 12 evaluations performed, the parasitic load of T01 was near zero. Fluralaner showed 99.5% efficacy on the 3rd day after the first treatment and 100% efficacy from Day 7 to Day 126. Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae (n = 6; p = 0.0251) were found only in the control group (T02). At the end of the study, the animals subjected to treatments with fluralaner gained 32.8 kg more than the animals in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Application of fluralaner in summer and autumn, with 42-day intervals between treatments, was effective to control R. microplus on taurine cattle, which also gained more weight than control cattle. Additionally, no cases of myasis were documented in animals treated with fluralaner.

Old World Screwworm myiasis: First report of auricular Chrysomya bezziana myiasis in a dog in Singapore.

A German Shepherd dog was presented to a referral practice for screwworm myiasis affecting the ear. The successful management involved killing the larvae with afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime and using video otoscopy to completely remove dead larvae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of auricular myiasis by Chrysomya bezziana in a dog in Singapore and the first report of video otoscopic management of myiasis.

Efficacy of eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution administered pour on at 1 mg per kg body weight against Oestrus ovis myiasis in sheep and goats.

The larvae of the nasal bot, Oestrus ovis, mainly parasitize sheep and goats and some species of wild Caprinae but other mammals and humans are also vulnerable to infestation. Eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution (EPRINEX® Multi, Boehringer Ingelheim) administered at 1 mg eprinomectin per kg body weight pour on was recently authorized as an anthelmintic for sheep and goats with zero hours milk withdrawal in several countries in Europe. As the product in cattle has claims against a broad range of parasites including insect parasites and activity against O. ovis has previously been reported following extra-label use in sheep, its therapeutic efficacy against ovine and caprine O. ovis myiasis was evaluated in three regulatory compliant, masked clinical studies. Pre-study recovery of O. ovis larvae from five or six of six randomly selected animals per study site (Bulgaria, one site, sheep; Greece, two sites, sheep or goats) supported the inclusion of the animals from those sites into the studies. The study animals (34 animals per study) were ranked based on bodyweight and allocated randomly to remain untreated (control) or to be treated with eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution at 1 mL per 5 kg body weight pour on. Treatment efficacy was determined based on O. ovis larval counts of eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution-treated vs. untreated animals three weeks after treatment administration. Live O. ovis larvae, including all three instars in each study, were recovered from 13 or 16 of the 17 control animals in the sheep studies (range, 1 to 14 or 5 to 18 larvae, respectively) and from all 17 controls in the goat study (range, 7 to 18 larvae). In each study, eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution-treated animals had significantly (p < 0.001) fewer live O. ovis larvae than the controls. Efficacy of the treatment was 100% and 91.3% against the combined parasitic O. ovis larval stages in sheep and in goats, respectively. The treatment was well accepted by all animals and no health problems were observed throughout the studies. The results of these studies demonstrated eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution administered pour on at 1 mL per 5 kg body weight to be an efficacious and safe treatment of ovine and caprine oestrosis.

CUTANEOUS MYIASIS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO WELLNESS IN EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) IN CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS.

Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) face a variety of anthropogenic, infectious, and environmental threats and have been affected by high morbidity and mortality disease events. Wellness parameters in free-ranging eastern box turtles with a high prevalence of myiasis on Cape Cod, MA, were documented to identify epidemiologic trends or associations with several health parameters. There were 109 samples collected from 59 individual box turtles over the course of 4 mon. Six turtles died over the course of this study. Fly larvae infestations varied in severity and were observed in the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue (n = 18; 30.5%). Animals with myiasis had fewer plastron abnormalities than those without (P = 0.034), and all turtles found in bogs had evidence of fly larvae infections (P < 0.0001). Individuals with myiasis also had lower body condition index (P = 0.014), lower total white blood cells (P = 0.031), lower PCV (P < 0.0001), lower total solids (P < 0.0001), higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P < 0.0001), lower calcium (P = 0.018), and lower phosphorus (P = 0.017). Three turtles tested positive for terrapene herpesvirus 1, but presence was not associated with myiasis. Heavy metal analysis revealed no significant differences between turtles with and without myiasis. This study examined the health of a population of eastern box turtles, and continued health assessments will be beneficial in determining the impact of myiasis on future conservation plans.

Mitochondrial genomic investigation reveals a clear association between species and genotypes of Lucilia and geographic origin in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Lucilia cuprina and L. sericata (family Calliphoridae) are globally significant ectoparasites of sheep. Current literature suggests that only one of these blowfly subspecies, L. cuprina dorsalis, is a primary parasite causing myiasis (flystrike) in sheep in Australia. These species and subspecies are difficult to distinguish using morphological features. Hence, being able to accurately identify blowflies is critical for diagnosis and for understanding their relationships with their hosts and environment. METHODS: In this study, adult blowflies (5 pools of 17 flies; n = 85) were collected from five locations in different states [New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD), Tasmania (TAS), Victoria (VIC) and Western Australia (WA)] of Australia and their mitochondrial (mt) genomes were assembled. RESULTS: Each mt genome assembled was ~ 15 kb in size and encoded 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs and a control region. The Lucilia species mt genomes were conserved in structure, and the genes retained the same order and direction. The overall nucleotide composition was heavily biased towards As and Ts-77.7% of the whole genomes. Pairwise nucleotide diversity suggested divergence between Lucilia cuprina cuprina, L. c. dorsalis and L. sericata. Comparative analyses of these mt genomes with published data demonstrated that the blowflies collected from sheep farm in TAS clustered within a clade with L. sericata. The flies collected from an urban location in QLD were more closely related to L. sericata and represented the subspecies L. c. cuprina, whereas the flies collected from sheep farms in NSW, VIC and WA represented the subspecies L. c. dorsalis. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenetic analyses of the mt genomes representing Lucilia from the five geographic locations in Australia supported the previously demonstrated paraphyly of L. cuprina with respect to L. sericata and revealed that L. c. cuprina is distinct from L. c. dorsalis and that L. c. cuprina is more closely related to L. sericata than L. c. dorsalis. The mt genomes reported here provide an important molecular resource to develop tools for species- and subspecies-level identification of Lucilia from different geographical regions across Australia.

Efficacy of the combination of milbemycin oxime and afoxolaner for the control of myiasis by Musca domestica in desert tortoises (Gopherus berlandieri).

The efficacy of the combination of milbemycin oxime and afoxolaner was evaluated in desert tortoises infested with fly larvae. Oral administration of the combination of milbemycin oxime and afoxolaner eliminated the infestation without generating any evident adverse effects on the tortoises.

L'efficacité de la combinaison de milbémycine oxime et d'afoxolaner a été évaluée chez des tortues du désert infestées par des larves de mouches. L'administration orale de la combinaison de milbémycine oxime et d'afoxolaner traite l'infestation sans générer d'effets indésirables évidents sur les tortues.

A eficácia da associação de milbemicina oxima e afoxolaner foi avaliada em tartarugas do deserto infestadas por larvas de moscas. A administração oral da combinação de afoxolaner e milbemicina oxima eliminou a infestação sem gerar nenhum efeito adverso evidente às tartarugas.

Se evaluó la eficacia de la combinación de milbemicina oxima y afoxolaner en tortugas del desierto infestadas con larvas de mosca. La administración oral de la combinación de milbemicina oxima y afoxolaner eliminó la infestación sin generar efectos adversos evidentes en las tortugas.

First record of a rare case of accidental urinary myiasis by Telmatoscopus albipunctata (Diptera: Psychodidae), with morphological description, in a human in Brazil.

Telmatoscopus albipunctata is an insect of the Psychodidae family, with a worldwide distribution, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries. Although it does not have hematophagous habits, it has veterinary medical importance due to the mechanical transmission of protozoa and bacteria, many of which cause nosocomial infections. This dipteran has been reported as one of the causative agents of accidental myiasis in humans in several countries, and since it has not been registered in South America, the objective of the present report was to describe a rare case of accidental urinary myiasis caused by T. albipunctata (Diptera: Psychodidae) in humans in Brazil. In the present report, a 25-year-old female patient, resident of the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, sought medical attention after finding larvae in her urine. She complained of vaginal itching and skin dermatitis. The larvae were sent to the Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria, where they were mounted on permanent slides for further taxonomic identification. Morphological characteristics allowed the identification of fourth-stage larvae and pupae of T. albipunctata. Therefore, the present work reports the first record of accidental urinary myiasis caused by T. albipunctata infection in Brazil and South America.

Larval anatomy of the digestive and excretory systems of the pharyngeal bot fly, Pharyngomyia picta (Diptera: Oestridae).

Oestrid flies (Diptera: Oestridae) are obligate parasites of mammals during their larval stage and show anatomical adaptations for the infestation of host tissues. Unlike the species that parasitize domestic mammals, those oestrid species that infest wild mammal hosts remain poorly known. With the use of x-ray micro-computed tomography, we describe for the first time the anatomy of the digestive and excretory systems of the second and third larval instars of Pharyngomyia picta (Meigen), a parasite of cervids that, like other species within the subfamily Oestrinae, causes nasopharyngeal myiasis. Both larval instars of P. picta show a pair of remarkably large salivary glands arranged in a characteristic 'glandular band', a convoluted and thickly uniform midgut and a greatly enlarged distal region of the anterior pair of Malpighian tubules. These anatomical features also have been described in other species within the subfamily Oestrinae, whereas they differ from the observations in other oestrid subfamilies. We discuss the potential functional significance of the anatomy of the digestive and excretory systems of Oestrinae larvae as specific adaptations to parasitize the nasopharyngeal cavities of mammal hosts.