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SR Vol.47 [2010] >
SR Vol.47(04) [April 2010] >
| Title: | Fly Attacks |
| Authors: | Singh, Amandeep
Singh, Devinder |
| Issue Date: | Apr-2010 |
| Publisher: | CSIR |
| Abstract: | Infestation of humans by fly larvae could even lead to death. It poses
a major threat to the livestock industry in India as well. But the same deadly
fly larvae could also be used to treat non-healing wounds and as a possible
solution to fight the increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
DID
you know that humans and other animals are not only attacked by numerous adult
insects but also by their larval stages. Such an invasion of human and animal
tissues by dipterous larvae (‘dipterous’ meaning insects having usually a
single pair of functional wings, including the true flies and mosquitoes) is
known as ‘fly strike’ or myiasis. The larvae, at least for a certain period,
feed on the host's dead or living tissue, liquid body substances, and ingested
food.
The term myiasis was first used in 1840 to refer to
disease of humans and animals originating specifically with fly larvae as
opposed to those caused by insect larvae in general.Accordingly, infestation
with larvae of moths is called scolechiasis and with those of beetles
canthariasis. Myiasis may not show any
symptoms, but sometimes it may result in more or less severe problems and even
death when larvae invade body cavities or areas where they cannot be directly
examined. |
| Page(s): | 19-22 |
| ISSN: | 0036-8512 |
| Source: | SR Vol.47(04) [April 2010]
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