Beneficial Species Profile

Photo credit: Copyright © 2013 Mardon Erbland, bugguide.net

Common Name: Bird’s Nest Screwworm Fly / Holarctic Blow Fly

Scientific Name: Protophormia terraenovae

Order and Family: Diptera / Calliphoridae

Size and Appearance:

Length (mm) Appearance Egg 1mm

Larva/Nymph Small and white, with about 12 1-12mm segments

Adult Dark anterior thoracic spiracle, dark metallic blue in color. 8-12 mm Similar to Phormia regina, however P. terraenovae has longer dorsocentral bristles with acrostichal (set in highest row) bristles short or absent. Pupa (if applicable) 8-9mm

Type of feeder (Chewing, sucking, etc.):

Sponging in adults / Mouthhooks in larvae

Host/s:

Larvae develop primarily in carrion.

Description of Benefits (predator, parasitoid, pollinator, etc.):

This insect is used in Forensic and Medical fields. Maggot Debridement Therapy is the use of maggots to clean and disinfect necrotic flesh wounds. To be usable in this practice, the creature must only target the necrotic tissues. This species ‘fits the bill.’ P. terraenovae is known to produce antibiotics as they feed, helping to fight some infections. P. terraenovae is one of the only blow fly species usable in this way.

Blow flies are also one of the first species to arrive on a cadaver. Due to early arrival, they can be the most informative for postmortem investigations. Scientists will collect, note, rear, and identify the species to determine life cycles and developmental rates. Once determined, they can calculate approximate death.

This species is also known to cause myiasis in livestock, causing wound strike and death.

References:

Species Protophormia terraenovae. (n.d.). Retrieved September 04, 2020, from https://bugguide.net/node/view/862102

Byrd, J. H., & Tomberlin, J. K. (2020). Forensic entomology: The utility of arthropods in legal investigations. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. pg 26

Smith, G.V., Kenneth, A Manual of Forensic Entomology, 1987, Cornell Univ Pr, Pgs. 113 Erzinçliolu, Y. Z. “The larvae of the species of Phormia and Boreellus: Northern, cold-adapted blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae).” Journal of Natural History, 22.1(1988):11-16

Kočišová, A., J. Pistl, R. Link, E. Čonková, and M. Goldová. "Maggot Debridement Therapy in the Treatment of Footrot and Foot Scald in Sheep." Acta Vet. Brno 75 (2006): 277-81