Cochliomyia

Cochliomyia
C. hominivorax larva
C. hominivorax adult
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Calliphoridae
Subfamily: Chrysomyinae
Genus: Cochliomyia
Townsend, 1915[1]
Type species
Musca macellaria
Fabricius, 1775

Cochliomyia is a genus in the family Calliphoridae, known as blowflies, in the order Diptera. Cochliomyia is commonly referred to as the New World screwworm flies, as distinct from Old World screwworm flies. Four species are in this genus: C. macellaria, C. hominivorax, C. aldrichi, and C. minima.[2][3] C. hominivorax is known as the primary screwworm because its larvae produce myiasis and feed on living tissue. This feeding causes deep, pocket-like lesions in the skin, which can be very damaging to the animal host. C. macellaria is known as the secondary screwworm because its larvae produce myiasis, but feed only on necrotic tissue. Both C. hominivorax and C. macellaria thrive in warm, tropical areas.

  1. ^ Townsend, C. H. T. (1915). "A new generic name for the screw-worm fly". Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences. 5. Washington Academy of Sciences: 644–646.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rich was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Whit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).