What is a Cuterebra Parasite?

A Cuterebra parasite is an opportunistic parasite found under the skin of small mammals. This parasite is the larval stage of the Cuterebra fly (also known as botflies), who uses animal hosts to complete its life cycle. This condition is similar to Myiasis (Fly Strike), but in this case, each lesion is a single fly larva.

Learn more about this parasite, most commonly seen in summer and fall, in this FAQ. Have you ever seen a Cuterebra larva?

---

_{Twitter | Facebook | Free newsletter} Photo: First instar larva of Cuterebra, a genus of botfly. Credit: CDC/ Dr. George Healy