This week's case comes from my own lab - images by my awesome technical specialist, Emily Fernholz. The following object was submitted for identification. No clinical history was available.
Three straight slits, complete peritreme, no spines on the body. This specimen is most compatible with Lucilia per CDC site. I would refer the case to an entomologist if clinically indicated. Florida Fan
Congratulations on the picture perfect photograph of the posterior spiracles. They are inside a tubular terminal structure and to photograph them, the larva has to be in the head down position vertically. One time, I had to cut a deep slit in a block of foam and inserted the larva head down to take the picture, using the foam to hold the specimen. The delicate nature of the larva made the task even more challenging. This task requires a lot of care and manual dexterity. Thank you for a wonderful rendition. Florida Fan
According to the posterior spiracula it looks as the third instar larva of Lucilia (probably sericata). The red spot in the crop of the larva might indicate that it was removed from a (bleeding) wound.
Lucilia
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert, but I think it's Lucilia by the looks of the spiracles, lack of spines on the segments, and what can be seen of the mouthparts.
ReplyDeleteThree straight slits, complete peritreme, no spines on the body. This specimen is most compatible with Lucilia per CDC site.
ReplyDeleteI would refer the case to an entomologist if clinically indicated.
Florida Fan
Lack of an accessory oral sclerite points to Lucillia instead of Calliphora sp.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the picture perfect photograph of the posterior spiracles. They are inside a tubular terminal structure and to photograph them, the larva has to be in the head down position vertically. One time, I had to cut a deep slit in a block of foam and inserted the larva head down to take the picture, using the foam to hold the specimen. The delicate nature of the larva made the task even more challenging. This task requires a lot of care and manual dexterity. Thank you for a wonderful rendition.
ReplyDeleteFlorida Fan
According to the posterior spiracula it looks as the third instar larva of Lucilia (probably sericata). The red spot in the crop of the larva might indicate that it was removed from a (bleeding) wound.
ReplyDeletePurely basing my diagnosis on the images found on the CDC's DPDX website, I would go for Lucilia species.
ReplyDelete