Rat-tailed maggot

Rat-tailed maggots are the larvae of certain species of hoverflies belonging to the tribes Eristalini and Sericomyiini.[1] A characteristic feature of rat-tailed maggots is a tube-like, telescoping breathing siphon located at its posterior end.[2] This acts like a snorkel, allowing the larva to breathe air while submerged. The siphon is usually about as long as the maggot's body (20 mm (0.79 in) when mature), but can be extended as long as 150 mm (5.9 in). This organ gives the larva its common name.[2]

Eristalis tenax larva

The most commonly encountered rat-tailed maggot is the larva of the drone fly, Eristalis tenax. It lives in stagnant, oxygen-deprived water, with a high organic content. It is fairly tolerant of pollution and can live in sewage lagoons and cesspools.[2] In 2017, rat-tailed maggots gained some press coverage after they were recognised in the composting toilets of the Glastonbury Festival.[3]

Commercial use

These larvae, commonly called "mousies", are cultured and sold as fish bait. They are especially popular in ice fishing.[4]

Infection

Occasionally, cases have been documented of human intestinal myiasis caused by the rat-tailed maggot. Symptoms can range from none (asymptomatic) to abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, or pruritus ani. Infection can be caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water, but doubts have been expressed that accidentally ingested fly larvae could survive in the gastrointestinal tract. Zumpt proposed an alternative called "rectal myiasis". Flies, attracted to feces, may deposit their eggs or larvae near or into the anus, and the larvae then penetrate further into the rectum. They can survive feeding on feces at this site, as long as the breathing tube reaches towards the anus.[2][5]

  • Eristalis tenax larva
  • E. tenax larva
  • Unidentified rat-tailed maggot from Australia
  • Unidentified rat-tailed maggot from the Philippines
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References
  1. Alan E. Stubbs & Steven J. Falk (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide (2nd ed.). London: British Entomological and Natural History Society. pp. 284–300. ISBN 1-899935-03-7.
  2. Aguilera A, Cid A, Regueiro BJ, Prieto JM, Noya M (September 1999). "Intestinal myiasis caused by Eristalis tenax". J. Clin. Microbiol. 37 (9): 3082. PMC 85471. PMID 10475752.
  3. "Rat-tailed maggots crawling around Glastonbury Festival toilets captured on video". Bristol Post. 29 June 2017.
  4. Dictionary of Ichthyology; Brian W. Coad and Don E. McAllister Archived 2009-12-06 at the Wayback Machine at ww.briancoad.com
  5. Whish-Wilson PB (2000). "A possible case of intestinal myiasis due to Eristalis tenax". Med. J. Aust. 173 (11–12): 652. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb139374.x. PMID 11379520.
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