Features and habitat of the gadfly

As a rule, medium-sized flies are called gadflies, there are three families (which, in turn, have additional varieties, about 150 species) - gastric, subcutaneous, abdominal.

Thus, the prevalence of gadflies is extremely wide (of course, warm or temperate climate, as for almost all insects).

Some species gadfly in the photo - insects quite interesting, as they have huge colored (from bright green to poisonous yellow) "eyes".

However, in real life much harder to see this beauty in view small size arthropod. The flight speed is low, with the approach of the gadfly, you can hear a quiet high sound.

Needless to say, this beautiful fly can cause great harm to human and livestock health.

However fight insect gadfly it is not so difficult - it is enough to timely and competently approach the disinfestation of the main places of cattle walking and the accumulation of these arthropods, and they gather for mating mainly in the same places every year.

Given that the treatment of the area is carried out with the help of hazardous chemicals, you should not do it yourself, so as not to harm animals and people.

Care and lifestyle of the gadfly

Gadfly - insect, which comes to the image of an adult individual through complete transformation, starting from an egg, it transforms into a larva, then remains in the form of a pupa, and only then becomes an adult adult.

As a rule, a full cycle lasts about a year. Despite this, the fastest stage in the life of a gadfly is the exit from the chrysalis, which occurs in a few seconds, after which the insect is almost immediately ready for independent life and procreation.

In general, the life cycle, especially the first stages, of development depends on the species. For example, insect stomach gadfly: horse or the donkey eats its larvae laid by females on forage plants, or directly into the animal's hairline, from where the larvae then reach the esophagus.

Moving through the body of the host, the larvae make channels, which makes the animal feel severe discomfort, itching and negatively affects the quality and density of tissues in the body, which can be life-threatening for livestock.

Together with waste products, already mature larvae come out, which will continue the life cycle on their own.

The most common type is subcutaneous gadfly, which can be found anywhere in the world, except for places with constantly sub-zero temperatures.

The female clings the eggs to the hairs on the body of cattle, after which insect gadfly in the form of a larva penetrates under the skin of the animal.

Before molting and moving to the next stage of formation, they make holes in the body of the carrier through which air enters them, and, subsequently, leave the body through the same holes.

In the photo, gadfly larvae on the body of a cow

Gadfly - insect, bite which can also bring great harm human health. So, there were cases when the larvae reached the human brain, which led to death.

The last way for a gadfly to get into the body of a person or animal is to be placed there by the female directly through the nose or eyes.

The larvae move inside the skull, settling in the eyeball, eyelid or mucosa, leaving channels and miasma behind them.

Gadfly nutrition

The larvae feed on their carriers, while adult gadflies do not absorb food at all. Their mouth is reduced.

The body is nourished by substances that the gadfly intensively accumulates while in the larval stage.

That is why, in the form of an adult insect, gadflies spend very little time - from 3 to 20 days, losing a significant part of their mass every day.

If the weather is cold, gadflies try not to fly, conserving energy, in which case their life can last up to 30 days.

Reproduction and life expectancy of the gadfly

It has been observed that males and females spend the mating process in the same places every year.

After this process, the females immediately fly away, in search of an animal - the future carrier for their eggs. Female behavior different kind differs significantly.

For example, a string flies over the herd and at the same time makes sounds audible to animals, because of which they worry and try to leave the insect's hunting zone.

The female esophagus - on the contrary, tries to sneak up unnoticed - she does this by short flights or on foot, laying 5-20 eggs per hair.

Harmful females gadflies and gadflies very prolific, therefore, even with a small number of insects, they will be able to ensure the continued existence of the species. Preferred laying sites are usually rich in abundant undercoat.

The development of the gadfly begins in the egg, where the larva of the first stage is formed, which takes from three days to a week, the ideal temperature is 32 ° C, with which the larvae appear from almost all of the eggs.

After their appearance, wanderings through the body of the host begin, the exact direction depends on the type of insect.

Depending on the intensity of nutrition inside a foreign organism, the larvae can reach a measurement of 15 mm.

At the second and third stages of the baby's development, oxygen is needed, so they go back - closer to the skin and make holes for air to enter.

Then a capsule is formed around them, in which further formation takes place. Finishing this stage, through the same holes, the larvae leave the body of the animal and fall on the ground, where pupation takes place, which takes from one to seven days.

The development of the pupa depends on external conditions environment, most often the pupal stage ends after 30 - 45 days. Gadflies give offspring only once.

To date, there are several dozen species of gadflies, many of which are dangerous to people and animals. Gadfly larvae in humans are capable of causing disruptions in the functioning of all body systems, and besides, they cause considerable discomfort.

How do gadfly larvae appear in the human body?

Gadflies are small flies, usually brown or green in color. The life cycle of such an insect is short, an adult individual lives from 4 to 20 days, while during this period it does not require additional nutrition, the functioning of the body is carried out due to the nutrients accumulated even in the larval stage.

How do subcutaneous gadfly larvae appear?

Most often, gadfly larvae can be infected from cattle, so most cases of insect damage occur in rural areas. This disease is called hypodermatosis, the cause of which is skin gadfly. Pests, getting into the skin tissue, move through the body in the direction of the head. Gradually, redness and blue swelling appear at the location of the foreign object. Along with external skin changes, dizziness, nausea, fever, and muscle tone are observed.

The human gadfly is a large fly about 12–18 mm long. It has a yellow head with large black eyes, a blue belly with a metallic sheen, orange paws, and transparent wings. Each segment of the body is covered with hairs, which makes the insect look like a bumblebee. The oral apparatus is reduced. An adult insect does not feed using nutrients accumulated by the larva.

The insect lives from 3 days to 3 weeks. By the end of life, he loses about a third of his body mass. In adverse weather, it seems to freeze, being on plants and grass. At the same time, everything life cycles in the body of the gadfly slow down. In favorable weather, the insect comes to life and in a short time finds a mate for fertilization.

During trips to the countries of the South and Central America it is necessary to use repellents for, protective clothing. In case of a bite, treat the affected place a disinfectant and observe the wound. If the above symptoms appear, consult a doctor.

A larva found under the skin can be expelled by blocking its access to oxygen, for example, by sealing its location with adhesive tape. Starting to choke, the larva appears above the surface of the skin. At this point, it can be taken with tweezers and removed from the capsule. After removing the larvae, the wound is treated with antiseptics. It is advisable to take a desensitizing (antiallergic) drug.

Classmates

A few years ago I was bitten by gadflies in nature, there were 5 bites on my neck and back. Then I still didn’t know what consequences this was fraught with, I thought that it was just bites that would pass quickly, because I didn’t know that gadflies can lay larvae under the skin. At first, at the site of the bites, there were just reddish swellings, like pimples, but then they began to fester. I went to the dermatologist, thinking it was an allergy or just acne, but the doctor diagnosed it correctly and in the end there were no complications.

Human miases arise due to the penetration of larvae and sexually mature individuals of arthropods into the tissues and cavities of the body. Most often, the causative agents of the disease are:

• a tumbu fly that penetrates under the skin and forms peculiar tunnels there;
• sand flea, hoverfly fly and raznopodzhka, able to penetrate under the epidermis and lay eggs;
• carrion, cheese and wolfart flies infecting damaged skin and mucous membranes;
• small houseflies, green, gray meat and fruit flies, can affect the intestines, ears and genitourinary system;
• cavity sheep gadfly, affecting the organs of vision;
• blowfly in the respiratory system.

The most common route of infection is through damaged areas. skin and mucous membranes. Insects can lay their eggs in the eyes, ears, nose, wounds or sores. Some varieties of flies are able to introduce their future offspring subcutaneously.

Consumption of the infected food products that have not been properly processed can also cause the development of myiasis.

Fact: unlike sexually mature individuals, larvae do not respond to the effects of most chemical substances. This explains their ability to stay in the intestines, duodenum and bladder for a long time.

Disease classification

First of all, myiases are classified depending on the type of flies that cause the disease:

In addition, the disease caused by the larvae is systematized depending on the location. There are tissue, cavitary, ocular and intestinal myiasis.

Tissue myiasis: forms, symptoms, treatment

The cutaneous form of myiasis is most often found in people living in unfavorable sanitary and hygienic conditions. The disease can be caused by the larvae of eighteen species of flies, as well as the sand flea. Insects are securely attached to the skin, make tunnels in it and place their larvae there. In addition, infection can occur through open wounds and ulcers.

At the first stage of development, it is extremely difficult to diagnose the disease. However, there are main symptoms, the appearance of which requires immediate medical attention:

Important! It is impossible to get infected with the cutaneous form of myiasis from a sick person. Infection occurs upon contact with an insect, soil inseminated by larvae, sand, products, while caring for sick farm animals, on the wool of which larvae are present.

Cochliomiasis is diagnosed by external examination, ultrasound, magnetic resonance or computed tomography. Samples are taken from the affected area for biopsy, and a blood test is also taken.

the only safe method extraction of larvae in the cutaneous form of myiasis is a surgical intervention. After the operation, the patient is put on an antiseptic dressing, and antibiotics are prescribed.

Cavitary myiasis: localization, symptoms, treatment

The cause of the development of cavitary myiasis, as a rule, becomes Wolfart, small house and house flies, sheep and bovine gadfly. In this case, the larvae can be localized in such places human body, as:

• oral cavity and gums;
• auricles and ear canal;
• bladder and urinary tract;
• sexual organs.

Miasis in the mouth - enough a rare thing. The disease can occur due to neglect of the rules of personal hygiene, pustular formations in the mouth, increased salivation, and a decrease in protective mechanisms. immune system on the background of alcoholism and adulthood.

Please note: Infection with fly larvae in young children can occur through dirty fingers that the baby constantly sucks.

Oral cochliomiasis is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• twitching of gums and cheeks;
• bleeding of the gums increases, painful sensations appear;
• the appearance of ulcers on the mucous membrane and bad smell from mouth;
• unbearable toothache when chewing solid food;
• nasal congestion;
• the appearance of allergic reactions;
• deterioration in general well-being, fatigue, loss of strength;
• in advanced cases, persistent fever may occur.

Infection of the genitourinary system occurs through dirty underwear or bed linen infected with larvae.

Eye myiasis: symptoms, treatment

Ophthalmomyiasis is treated exclusively by surgery with the use of painkillers. After successful surgical work, patients are prescribed washing with soda and boron solutions, as well as taking antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and applying antibacterial ointments to the incision area.

Posterior internal ophthalmomyiasis is treated with vitrectomy (removal of part or all of the vitreous body of the eye) or photocoagulation, which leads to the complete destruction of the larvae.

Intestinal myiasis: symptoms, treatment

intestinal myiasis develops as a result of the use of products infected with pathogenic organisms. In rare cases, they can enter the body through the anus: flies lay their eggs in the anus, they are absorbed into the mucous membrane intestinal tract, and then penetrate into the circulatory system and are carried throughout the body.

The presence of pathogenic organisms in a person causes the following reactions of the body:

• frequent vomiting, nausea;
• intense, pronounced pain in the epigastric region;
• pain in the peritoneum;
• the appearance of hemorrhage (bleeding, hemorrhage, bloody impurities in the feces);
• development of colitis;
• symptoms similar to typhus: fever, pallor of the skin, impotence, liquid stool, the appearance of a whitish coating on the tongue, slowing of the heart rate, confusion.

The disease is difficult to diagnose based solely on the symptoms. To confirm intestinal cochliomiasis, conduct clinical studies of feces and vomit.

Prevention

Main preventive measures myiasis are:

• compliance elementary rules hygiene;
• timely treatment of ulcerative lesions and violations of the integrity of the skin;
• protection of foodstuffs from flies;
• high-quality food processing;
• timely treatment of domestic and farm animals.

At the slightest sign of myiasis, it is worth contacting a specialist. The disease cannot be cured on its own, and prolonged ignoring of the symptoms can lead to death.

Myiasis is a disease caused by fly larvae that are common in Africa, New Guinea, California, Mexico, and also South America. This disease got its name in the 19th century thanks to the work of a priest named Frederick Hope. A person can become infected with myiasis only in favorable conditions for flies, namely, unsanitary conditions, by eating low-quality, semi-decomposed foods, working on the ground, where fly eggs can also fall.

causative agents different kind Myiasis is considered to be the following types of flies:

• tumbu fly or Cordylobia anthropophaga;
• sand flea or Tunga penetrans;
• Wolfart fly or Wohlfahrtia magnifica;
• Russian gadfly;
• sheep gadfly.

Depending on the place of introduction into the human body, myases are divided into the following groups:

• superficial;
• deep;
• cavity.

Superficial myiases

This type of disease is provoked by the larvae of such flies:

1. meat.
2. carrion.
3. cheese.
4. room.
5. brownies.

deep myases

Deep myases are usually referred to as:

• ordinary deep myiasis;
• African myiasis;
• South American miaz.

cavity myiasis

This group includes myiases, the pathogens of which prefer to settle:

1. in the mouth.
2. in the ears.
3. in the organs of the genitourinary system.
4. In eyes.

Ingestion of fly larvae due to the consumption of low-quality food provokes intestinal myiasis. Typical symptoms for this type of disease are:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• blood in faeces.

The occurrence of myiasis of the genitourinary system can be caused by elementary non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (wearing dirty linen). Thus, the larvae penetrate the organs of the genitourinary system, provoking symptoms:

1. vulvitis.
2. vaginitis.
3. urethritis.
4. cystitis.

Timely diagnosis of the disease and provision of qualified medical care- this is the main guarantee of successful treatment of myiasis.

First you need to consult a dermatologist. In severe forms of myiasis, the help of a surgeon may be required.

Cutaneous myiasis can be diagnosed by examining a patient's purulent wound with a magnifying glass, provided bright lighting. Intestinal myiasis can only be detected by examining the patient's secretions. Miases in the organs of the genitourinary system can be detected by a gynecologist when analyzing a smear taken from the genitals. An ophthalmologist will help diagnose myiasis of the eyeball.

Treatment

Intestinal myiasis is treated with anthelmintics. Sometimes gastric lavage is required. When the larvae penetrate the organs of the genitourinary system, the doctor prescribes local therapy with antibiotics or antiseptics. Removal of pathogens that are based in the eye area is carried out under anesthesia. Then the patient should wash his eyes with a weak solution of soda for several days.

As a rehabilitation measure, the patient is shown plentiful drink, the use of special ointments (for skin myiasis).

Forecast

The consequences of most myiasis, as a rule, are favorable for the patient, since over time the larvae themselves leave the host's body in order to continue self-propagation in the soil. Under the condition of timely diagnosis and qualified medical assistance, most superficial myiasis resolves without complications. However, deep myiasis can cause dysfunction internal organs, blindness, and even death.

Prevention

To avoid such an unpleasant disease as myiasis, one should strictly adhere to the rules of personal hygiene and food hygiene. Bed and underwear should be washed with disinfectants in hot water. It needs to be dried fresh air. As an additional security measure, iron it.

Food should be thoroughly washed before eating. running water, expose heat treatment. It is advisable to peel them. Spoiled meat or vegetables should not be eaten. Food must be stored in the refrigerator. It is advisable to eat food in the house, and not in the fresh air, where insects have access to it. It is advisable to buy products not from the hands, but in stores where the meat is stored in a closed refrigerated display case and undergoes sanitary control before it hits the counter.

Open wounds need to be treated antiseptics immediately after they occur. Better yet, see a doctor right away.