Bot Fly Larvae (Cephenemyia spp.

Oestridae) in Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

from Utah
Author(s): D. C. McMahon and T. D. Bunch
Source: Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 25(4):636-638.
Published By: Wildlife Disease Association
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-25.4.636
URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.7589/0090-3558-25.4.636

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 Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 25(4), 1989, pp. 636-638
© Wildlife Disease Association 1989

Bot Fly Larvae (Cephenemyia spp., Oestridae) in Mule Deer

(Odocoileus hemionus) from Utah
D. C. McMahon’ and T. D. Bunch,2 ‘Division of Wildlife Resources, 1596 West North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
84116, USA; 2 Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, USA

ABSTRACT: Ninety-nine mule deer (Odocoile- 1971), and 75% in Montana (Capelle and
us liemionus) from four Utah counties (Cache, Senger, 1959). There are no reports of these
Utah, Sanpete and Sevier) were examined for
bot fly larvae in deer from Utah. The pnes-
larvae of Cephcnemyia spp. iii 1985 and 1986.
ent study of bot fly larvae from mule deer
Numbers of first, second and third stage bot fly
instars were related to age, sex, year and geo- (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Rocky
graphic location of the mule deer. Fawns and Mountain region of the western United
adult deer 5.5 yr had a significantly (P 0.05) States complements the study of Capelle
higher intensity (1 37 and I 68, respectively)
and Sengen (1959).
of ilifection than the 1.5- and 2.5-yr-old age
groups (1 = 19 and i = 26, respectively). In-
Ninety-nine mule deer (53 females and
fectioti by larvae was not significantly different 46 males) were sampled from their winter
between sexes. Infection was 100% in both years, range in northern and central Utah coun-
but the mean intensity was significantly lower ties (n = 37 from Cache located at 41#{176}75’N,
in 1986 (P < 0.05). The decline may be related
1 1 1#{176}70’E; 21 from Sanpete located at
to differences in soil moisture between the 2
years. In 1985, 82% of the deer examined were
39#{176}40’N, 111#{176}60’E; 18 from Sevier located
infected with all three instars. Seventy-seven at 38#{176}70’N, 111#{176}60’E; and 23 from Utah
percent of all first instar larvae were observed located at 40#{176}15’N, 111#{176}60’E) in 1985 and
in the trachea, usually in the fold immediately 1986 for presence of Cephenemyia spp.
posterior to the epiglottis and corniculate car-
larvae.
tilages. This new site of attachment for first in-
star larvae has not previously l)een recognized.
The mule deer examined were vehicle
Key words: Bot fly larvae, Cephenemyia kills with the exception of three in 1985
spp., mule deer, Odocoileus heniionus, Oestri- that died from unknown causes. In 1985,
dae survey, host and locality factors. mule deer were collected from December
through April, and in 1986, due to the mild
Five species of the genus Cephenemyia winter, they were sampled from Decem-
occur in North America. At least one ber and January. Following January 1986,
species is found in nearly all areas of the most of the deer had moved back onto
United States and most of Canada (Bennett their summer range and they were no
and Sabrosky, 1962; Johnson et al., 1983). longer susceptible to being killed by ve-
Three species of bot flies (C. apicata, C. hicles on the roads.
pratti and C. jellisoni) have been reported The head and neck were removed,
in Utah (Bennett and Sabnosky, 1962). placed in plastic bags, and stored in a
Cases of Cephenemyia spp. larvae caus- freezer until they could be examined. Nec-
ing extreme discomfort and/or death in ropsies were performed on four deer where
deer have been reported in Colorado they were found; the lungs, broncheal
(Walker, 1929), California (McLean, 1940), tubes, heart and trachea were examined
Nebraska (Johnson et al., 1983), New York for hot fly larvae. A mid-sagittal cut was
(Cheatum, 1951), and Minnesota (Fitch, made through the skull with a band-saw
1928). to expose the nasal tunbinates, ethmoid ol-
The prevalence of Cephenemyia spp. factory area, retnophanyngeal pouches,
infection varies geographically, ranging mouth and trachea. Also, a transverse cut
from a low of 25% (all years) in New York was made to open the ethmoid olfactory
(Cheatum, 1951) to 62% in Ontario (Ben- area for further examination. All areas were
nett, 1962), 74% in Texas (Samuel et al., examined under a magnifying glass, and

636
 SHORT COMMUNICA1]ONS 637

the number of first, second and third larval due to the mild winter, no deer were sam-
instars of Cephenemyia spp. were record- pled after 15 January.
ed. The instans were identified and sepa- Seventy-seven percent of all first instan
rated by their relative sizes (first, 1 to 4 larvae were observed in the trachea, usu-
mm; second, 5 to 18 mm; and third, >18 ally in the fold immediately posterior to
mm) and color (the first and second instans the epiglottis and corniculate cartilages.
are white, third instans are creamy yellow) Because of the small size of the opening,
(Bennett and Sabrosky, 1962). Voucher this region prevents third instans from mi-
specimens were deposited in the Utah State grating back to the trachea and lungs.
University insect collection (Logan, Utah These observations indicate that the first
84322, USA), and in the U.S. National Par- instan larvae remain attached in the upper
asite Collection (Beltsville, Maryland region of the trachea prior to molt in late
20705, USA; accession number 79799). The February. This site of attachment for first
lower right section of each deer jaw was instan larvae has not previously been re-
removed and labeled, and age was deter- ported. Larvae may then migrate into the
mined by noting teeth replacement and retnophanyngeal pouch, dorsal to the epi-
wear, following the methods of Taber and glottis in the nasopharynx. Once the larvae
Larson (1980). attach their oral hooks they cannot be cx-
Mule deer were grouped by age into age pelled by coughing. Cuticulan spines in lar-
classes of 0.5 (62), 1.5 (12), 2.5 (12), 3.5 (4) val stages differ in size, number of bands
and 5.5 (9) yr. Total number of first, per segment and size and shape (Bennett
second and third instans per animal was and Sabrosky, 1962). The spines help the
related to age, sex, year and location where parasite from being dislodged from its host.
deer were sampled. Fawns ( = 36) and Inside the netropharyngeal pouch larvae
adult deer 5.5 yr of age ( = 68) had feed on mucus and fluids from the in-
significantly (ANOVA, P s 0.05) higher flamed cells until they mature and migrate
numbers of larvae than deer in the 1.5-yr- out of the host. Histologic examination of
old age group ( = 28). There was no sig- the affected pouch has revealed extensive
nificant difference (ANOVA, P s 0.05) in pitting and erosion of epidermal cells
the numbers of larvae between sexes ( = (Cogley, 1987). The first instar also attach
36 for females and I = 35 for males). We themselves in the olfactory region of the
noted a significant (ANOVA, P 0.05) nasal passage: 12% of the larvae were found
decrease in total number of larvae between here. This site of attachment, however,
1985 (1 = 46) and 1986 (1 = 23). This presents problems to deer, since first instar
decline may be a response to differences larvae may molt to second and third instars
in environmental conditions, such as soil in this region. As third instars, we have
moisture, between the 2 years (1986 was observed they often become trapped in
a drought year). folds of the olfactory region and become
All deer were infected with bot fly lar- necrotic and calcified, causing localized
vae. The mule deer from Utah County had abscesses in the host.
the highest numbers of larvae (I = 65). Abnormal migrations of third instar lar-
This was followed by deer from Cache (I vae were observed at the entrance of the
= 38), Sanpete (I = 37) and Sevier (I = auditory tube, in the bronchioles, lungs,
22) counties. and esophagus, and muscles of the neck.
In 1985, 70% of the deer sampled con- One third instan was lodged against a ver-
tained all three instars, while only 8% were tebra and another had penetrated the tra-
similarly infected in 1986. This difference cheal wall. Such migrations were uncom-
was attributed to sampling intervals. Lar- mon and most probably were the result of
vae develop rapidly from first to third in- the larval migration after death of the deer.
stars in March and April, while in 1986, Abnormal migration in response to declin-
638 JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES, VOL. 25, NO. 4, OCTOBER 1989

ing body temperature has been reported script is published as Utah Agricultural Ex-
by Cogley and Anderson (1981) and Ca- peniment Station Journal Paper 3776.
pelle and Senger (1959).
LITERATURE CITED
Normally third instar hot fly larvae mi-
grate from the nostrils of the host and pu- BENNETT, C. F. 1962. On the biology of Cephe-
nemyia phobifera (Diptera, Oestridae), the pha-
pate in the soil. This period of pupation
ryngeal bat of the white-tailed deer, Odocoileus
varies with species and with climatic con- virginianus. Canadian Journal of Zoology 40:
ditions from 16 to 56 days (Hadwen, 1927). 1195-1210.
Abnormal pupation was also observed , AND C. \V. S.SISIIoSKY. 1962. The nearctic

within several mule deer, which could be species of the genus Cephenemyia (Diptera, Oes-
tridae). Canadian Journal of Zoology 40: 431-
a response to adverse environmental con-
448.
ditions whereby third instars increase their CAI’ELI.E, K. J., ANI) C. NI. SENGER. 1959. Occur-
chance of survival. rence of Cephenemyia jellisoni in a sample of

Cephenemyia spp. larvae may occa- Montana mule deer (ab). The Journal of Para-
sitology 45: 32.
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CIIE.si’USl, E. L. 1951. Disease in relation to winter
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of Cephenemyia spp. larvae causing pain Wildlife Management 15: 216-220.
and death in deer. Walker (1929) reported C0CI.EY, T. P. 1987. Effects of Cepheneniyia spp.
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tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus).
in Colorado. Similar cases have also been
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reported in California (McLean, 1940),
, AND J. R. ANDERSON. 1981. Invasion of
New York (Cheatum, 1951) and Minnesota black-tailed deer by nose bat fly larvae (Diptera;
(Fitch, 1928). Little information is avail- Oestridae). International Journal of Parasitology
able to support these claims. In most of the 11: 281-286.
FITCh, C. P. 1928. A preliminary note on the oc-
cases deer were sampled during severe
currence of a head and throat bot in the wild
winters and were weakened and emaciat-
deer (Cervus virginianus) of Minnesota. Cornell
ed. Cephenemyia spp. infection may not Veterinarian 18: 235-357.
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healthy deer, the presence of Cephene- demagena tarandi L. and Cephenemyia
(Trompe) nasa/is L. The Journal of Parasitology
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13: 56-65.
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JOhNSON, J. L., J. B. CANII’BELL, A. R. DOSTER, C.
We gratefully acknowledge the em- NASON, AND R. J. CAGNE. 1983. Cerebral ab-
ployees of Willow Park Zoo (Logan, Utah, scess and Cephenemyia phobifera in a mule deer
USA) for their cooperation in obtaining in central Nebraska. Journal of Wildlife Diseases
19: 279-280.
deer heads and necks, and Dale Ashcroft
M;LEAN, D. D. 1940. The deer of California. Cal-
for his expert photography. We extend a
ifornia Fish and Came 26: 159-160.
special thanks for the field assistance of SANIUE[., W. NI., D. D. TRAINER, AND W. C.
Paula McMahon and the advice provided CLAZENER. 1971. Pharyngeal botfly larvae in
by Barnie Gilbert, Wilford Hanson and Ken white-tailed deer. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 7:
142-146.
Capelle. Necropsy facilities were provided
TABER, R. D., AND J. S. LARSON. 1980. Criteria of
by the Department of Fisheries and Wild-
sex and age. In Wildlife management techniques
life, Utah State University. This study was manual, 4th ed., S. D. Schemnitz (ed). Wildlife
supported by the Undergraduate Research Society, Washington, D.C., pp. 143-202.
and Creative Opportunities program at WALKER, C. R. 1929. Cephenomyia spp. killing
deer. Science 69: 646-647.
Utah State University, and by the De-
partment of Fisheries and Wildlife and the
Received for publication 13 March 1989.
College of Natural Resources. This manu-