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This study reports for the first time the complete sequencing of the mitogenome of three Oestridae species: Cephenemyia auribarbis , C. ulrichii , and Pharyngomyia picta (Diptera: Oestridae). These three mitogenomes were assembled and annotated from specimens collected in southern and northern Spain ( C. auribarbis and P. picta , respectively) and in Russia ( C. ulrichii ). They were then compared with the mitogenomes of 18 other Oestridae species available in GenBank. All three analyzed mitogenomes exhibited a conserved gene content and structure comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and a control region, with a high A + T content characteristic of the Oestridae. Intraspecific variability in length and sequence was detected in C. ulrichii and P. picta . Comparative analyses revealed conserved start/stop codons and consistent PCGs, tRNA, and rRNA gene organization. The D-loop region had the highest sequence variability. The phylogenetic analyses of 24 complete mitogenomes confirmed the monophyly of the genus Cephenemyia , with Pharyngomyia as its closest relative. Together, these genera formed a well-supported clade with Oestrus and Rhinoestrus . These results served to reinforce previously postulated phylogenetic hypotheses and underscored the utility of mitogenomic data in resolving the evolutionary relationships within the Oestridae. The mitogenomes described in this study offer significant molecular resources for future research into the taxonomy, phylogeny, and molecular evolution of bot flies.

Dexopollenia guangxiensis Liu, Li & Yao, sp. nov. , Dexopollenia chongqingensis Liu, Li & Yao, sp. nov. and Xanthotryxus huapingensis Liu, Li & Yao, sp. nov. from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chongqing are described and illustrated. Keys to species of the genera Dexopollenia and Xanthotryxus from China are provided. Photographs of the habitus and male genitalia of the new species are also provided.

This study aims to assess the current situation of the main nasal bot flies (Cephenemyia stimulator and Oestrus ovis) affecting roe deer in Spain and to identify the factors influencing their spread. Between 2018 and 2025, 1600 roe deer heads were examined. The overall prevalence of C. stimulator was 39.9% (CI 95% 37.5–42.3), with a mean larval intensity of 44.1 (SD 71.99). In contrast, a low mean larval burden of O. ovis (2.6; SD 1.90) was found in 1.6% of the animals (CI 95% 1.0–2.3). Our findings revealed the first case of mixed myiasis caused by both oestrids. Roe deer abundance was the main risk factor for the prevalence of C. stimulator, whereas larval burden was significantly highest in young animals. In addition, the percentage of infested animals and larval intensity was generally higher in northern areas. The high prevalence of C. stimulator in Spain and its notable increase in recent years indicate that control measures must be taken. Our results reveal that preventing roe deer overpopulation, especially in northern regions of the country, would be key to decreasing the likelihood of nasal bot fly infestation.

Bot flies (Oestridae: Cuterebrinae) are obligate mammalian parasites that complete the larval stage of their life cycle under the skin of their host. Most detailed studies of bot fly larval disease ecology have been conducted in temperate deciduous zone rodent systems. To understand the relative importance of seasonal and spatial factors, as well as factors intrinsic to the host, in underpinning the likelihood and extent of parasitism by bot flies in non-rodent hosts as well as in arid-land ecosystems, we examined the dynamic for black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) and desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) parasitism by bot fly larvae (Cuterebra spp.) across 7 repeatedly sampled sites spread across approximately 500 km of the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion of southern New Mexico. This environment is characterized by a climate that includes hot dry summers and cool to cold dry winters, as well as strongly seasonal summer monsoonal rains. Lagomorphs are a common mid-sized mammal in these landscapes. Bot fly parasitism was strongly seasonal, with peak prevalence and abundance in the spring, and there was spatial variation in the extent of parasitism between collection sites. Additionally, jackrabbits in better body condition were less likely to be parasitized (as indicated by kidney fat index). We did not find sex-based differences in bot fly parasitism between male and female jackrabbits. Thus, in arid-land ecoregions, abiotic factors are likely the primary driver of the bot fly–host interaction, whereas factors intrinsic to the host were of secondary importance for characterizing the interactions of bot flies and lagomorphs.

Since the first documented case of Cephenemyia stimulator in Spain in 2001, this myiasis has experienced rapid expansion, with the first case also detected in 2021 in Portugal. Between January 2020 and October 2024, a study was carried out in northern Spain (Cantabria, Galicia, País Vasco and Principado de Asturias) and Portugal (Bragança, Viana do Castelo and Vila Real) to evaluate the presence and distribution of this myiasis in these areas. The prevalence of infestation was 76.6 ± 4.72% (95% CI) and 38.78 ± 13.78% (95% CI), with a mean intensity of 62.27 ± 104.40 and 37.74 ± 36.84 larvae per animal in Spain and Portugal, respectively. Regarding age, larval intensity was significantly higher in young animals (109.76 ± 148.59) than in adults (32.22 ± 39.01) and old animals (33.64 ± 34.21) (p < 0.05). These results reflect a large increase in the prevalence and importance of younger animals in the spread of the disease. Therefore, it is very important to control and manage populations, focusing on the youngest animals.

Understanding host-ectoparasite relationships can inform the conservation and management of host species and their potential role in the transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Although the dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) is a recognized reservoir of several important vector-borne disease agents in California, it remains unknown whether its sister species, the big-eared woodrat (N. macrotis), serves a similar role. To evaluate the effects of season (spring and fall) and host-associated attributes on ectoparasite infestations, we counted ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and botfly warbles (Diptera: Oestridae) on big-eared woodrats live-trapped in central-coastal California oak woodland during 2005-2013. We detected these parasites on 13.5% (n = 589) of the 4,367 individual woodrats that we captured. Tick and warble intensity (number per woodrat) and prevalence (proportion of woodrats infected) were higher on male than female woodrats. Adults hosted 2.5 times more ticks and a third higher prevalence of ticks than juvenile woodrats. In sharp contrast, botfly warble intensity and prevalence were six times greater on juveniles. Additionally, the smallest juveniles (50-90 g) hosted the most warbles whereas the largest adults (215-343 g) harbored the most ticks. During our study, tick intensity and prevalence were higher on big-eared woodrats in spring whereas these metrics were higher for warbles in fall. The big-eared woodrat might play an important role as a reservoir host of zoonotic disease agents in Southern California oak woodlands.

Camel bot fly (Cephalopina titillator) larvae cause myiasis in domesticated and wild camels, resulting in significant economic losses to the camel industry and posing a serious global public health concern. To date, only one mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of C. titillator isolated from the Alxa Bactrian camel has been reported. Herein, C. titillator was isolated from the Junggar Bactrian camel to assemble a complete circular mitogenome with a length of 16,552 bp encoding 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and two rRNA genes. The mitogenome showed a high A + T content (73.31%), positive AT-skew (0.12), and negative GC-skew (−0.34) base composition patterns. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) employed ATG, ATA, ATT, GTG, or TCG as the start codons and TAA, TAG, or single T as the stop codons. Similar to other parasites in the Oestridae subfamily, the mitogenome was structurally conserved, with genes retaining the same order and direction as those in the ancestral insect mitogenome. The phylogenetic analysis clustered this species with the Oestrinae, showing that the subfamily did not exhibit monophyly. C. titillator isolated from the Junggar Bactrian camel was found to be a sister lineage to that isolated from the Alxa Bactrian camel. Despite the lack of data on the mitogenome of C. titillator isolated from dromedaries in the Middle East, phylogenetic analysis of C. titillator isolated from Xinjiang revealed one distinct lineage of the Xinjiang camel nasal bot fly. In conclusion, this study reports the complete mitogenome of Xinjiang C. titillator for the first time, providing valuable data for future studies on the phylogenetic relationships in this subfamily.

Two individuals of the jaguar, Panthera onca (L.), were captured near the municipality of Presidente Figueiredo, Brazilian Amazon, during the years of 2017 and 2018. The jaguars presented furuncular myiasis caused by the human botfly Dermatobia hominis (L.) on the rear thighs and tail. This is the first record of infestation of D. hominis in P. onca in the Amazon region.

Myiasis is an infestation caused by larvae of Diptera in humans and other vertebrates. In domestic cats, Felis silvestris catus L. (Carnivora: Felidae), four dipteran families have been reported as agents of obligatory and facultative myiasis: Oestridae, Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae. Among agents of obligatory myiasis, the most frequent genus is Cuterebra Clark (Oestridae) and the most frequent species is Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Calliphoridae). Among the agents of facultative myiasis, the most frequent species is Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Calliphoridae). A survey of myiasis in cats reported in literature shows that the cases are distributed worldwide and linked to the geographical range of the dipteran species. Factors favouring the occurrence of myiasis in cats are prowling in infested areas, poor hygiene conditions due to diseases and/or neglect, and wounds inflicted during territorial or reproductive competition. The aim of the review is to provide an extended survey of literature on myiasis in cats, as general information and possible development of guidelines for veterinarians, entomologists and other researchers interested in the field.