bot flies

Factual Questions
1

I’m going to Honduras sometime, and one of the goals on my mental “List of 100 things to do before I die” is to nurse a human bot fly larva to maturity. While there’s a lot of information online about bot fly infestations and treatment, I can’t find anything about how to actively seek one out. I understand that the eggs are attached by the mother to mosquitoes which then deposit the larvae on the skin. Mosquitoes, I assume, are all over Honduras, but what about the mama bot fly? Would my chances be better in the jungle? Are there preferred locations to nurse a bot fly, such as a location with few pain receptors? (The back comes to mind.) Is there a bot fly season? If I get a swollen lump on me, how can I confirm that it’s a bot fly and not something more sinister?

I currently am in Savannah, Ga., where there are also a lot of mosquitoes. If I bring a boy and a girl back, and they pupate over here, am I going to start an epidemic?

I’m sure there are hundreds of questions I’d like to ask but haven’t thought of yet, so any information is appreciated.

2

I thought “bot flies” were parasites that Tom Servo and Crow caught on the satellite of Love.

(D&R)

3

You need a better list.

Fortunately, human infestation is described as rare.

4

But it can be done - as my friend Darrell Ubick proved quite nicely :).

http://www.calacademy.org/calwild/2004winter/stories/hereat.html

  • Tamerlane
5

And notice the black dots in the photo. Those are spikes to help keep it embedded.

6

Here’s some vids for those who don’t know what’s being talked about:
http://www.popthatzit.com/category/20-bot-fly.html

Pretty gross, I’d say.

7

…and here’s another rather pleasant shot.
http://www.uglymen.net/wp-content/botfly1.JPG

8

Bot flys like cattle. Just hang out around some cattle and you have a good shot.

I’ve been lucky enough to dodge the botfly bullet, but I do know 2 people who have had them.

9

Yes, I’m embarassed to admit, with all the time I’ve spent in tropical forests, I’ve never had one. I haven’t had any other weird tropical diseases, in fact.

I have known quite a few people who have had them though. One colleague, whose last name was Siegel, got three in the bald spot on the top of his head when we were working in Peru.

After that we all called him Bugsy. :smiley:

For some reason he didn’t think it was funny.

10

Wait…am I being whooshed? Admittedly, I don’t know much about bot flies, but a quick Wiki filled me in a little. Is there something else I don’t know?

11

That’s a different species. The human botfly only attacks humans.

Most likely. :slight_smile:

12

I would love to hear some of the other goals on your list! Do tell… :eek:

13

You should add a new goal to your list: Seek help.

You are mentally disturbed.