Phoridae

Abstract: Avian, mammalian and reptilian predators coleopteran, heteropteran predators and aranae gastropods, nematodes and mites as natural enemies sciomyzidae, phoridae and sacrophagidae ciliophora and microsporidia as parasites of mollusca bacterial and non-microbial diseases.

Abstract: The larvae of Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae) exploit a broad spectrum of larval pabula. Consequently, the species features in a range of situations that affect the resources or well-being of humans. Furthermore, M. scalaris is readily cultured in the laboratory and is therefore favored as an experimental species for genetic, developmental, and bioassay studies. However, the extensive but widely scattered literature, reviewed herein, is frequently ignored by specialists, which gives rise to the unwitting repetition of previous work as well as insupportable proposals.

Abstract: Background The epidemiologic characteristics of human myiasis in the United States remain undefined. Objective To describe the most common clinical conditions associated with human myiasis and the causative maggot species. Methods Multicenter, prospective observational study of urban and suburban patients who were infested with maggots. Results Forty-two cases of US-acquired myiasis were collected from 20 participating centers. Most infestations occurred within preexisting wounds. No cases of tissue invasion were recorded. Host age averaged 60 years, with a male-female ratio of 5.5:1. Homelessness, alcoholism, and peripheral vascular disease were frequent cofactors. Two patients (5%) were hospitalized at the time of their infestation. The most common species was Phaenicia sericata (green blowfly; family: Calliphoridae). Other blowflies, flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), and humpbacked flies (Phoridae) also were identified. In 6 cases, 2 coinfesting species were identified. Conclusions Results of this prospective study of myiasis differ significantly from those of our analysis of previously published reports and suggest that most cases of human myiasis are caused by noninvasive blowflies laying eggs in preexisting wounds. Five percent of infestations were nosocomially acquired and not necessarily associated with patient neglect.