2007 - 2023 Tua Sade All rights reserved. J. The speed attainable by insects is currently poorly understood and insect airspeed is one of the least known features of flight performance. The Oestridae, in turn, are a family within the superfamily Oestroidea, together with the families Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellidae, Mystacinobiidae, Polleniidae, Rhiniidae, Rhinophoridae, Sarcophagidae, Tachinidae, and Ulurumyiidae. Biologists find them in a high percentage of deer, particularly when a thorough examination of the head is conducted. [8] Removal of the eggs (which adhere to the host's hair) is difficult, since the bone and tendons are directly under the skin on the cannon bones; eggs must be removed with a sharp knife (often a razor blade) or rough sandpaper and caught before they reach the ground. If you've even seen a deer coughing and sneezing it could well be in response to the wiggling movement of grubs through the nose and throat. Adults have reduced or absent mouthparts and generally do not eat at all. Fun Fact: Botfly larvae are edible and are said to taste like milk. Bot flies are chunky, beelike flies usually with rounded heads. Their larvae live inside living mammals. You can significantly reduce the chances of being attacked, by sunbathing on a blanket, rather than directly on the grass. The name deer botfly refers to any species in the genus Cephenemyia , within the family Oestridae. The hillside sprang awoken wide by the rising sun and her sweetest beams The azaleas and birds of paradise stretched out wide next to the waking stream A splashing silver salmon bending, jumping high brushing off the branches hanging low An antiquated guest for breakfast Deer Bot Fly - Cephenemyia jellisoni. You have likely seen deer reacting to nasal bots in summer. Wearing a hat and clothing with long sleeves and pants helps to minimize exposed skin. Meanwhile, in cases where harmless species have adapted to copy the look of harmful species, basically fooling potential enemies into leaving them alone, its termed Batesian mimicryagain, after the biologist who proposed the idea. We do not yet have descriptive information on this species. In cattle, the lesions caused by these flies can become infected by Mannheimia granulomatis, a bacterium that causes lechiguana, characterized by rapid-growing, hard lumps beneath the skin of the animal. The parasitized host usually lives to see another day, and most of us would rather serve as dinner to a bot fly or leech than to a wolf or mountain lion. The deer botfly (Cephenomyia pratti Hunter) is a small, blunt-headed insect which sprays its eggs into the nostrils and throats of deer, scattering them like tiny bombs while on the wing. It is all in vain. There is a species of bot fly that routinely parasitizes humans, but relax; it is not found in Missouri. The larva, already mobile, makes its way into the nasal cavity or throat of the host animal, where it remains, feeding on the tissue and fluids of the host until it reaches maturity. Its named after the biologist who described the concept: Whether the painful lesson comes from a bee or a wasp, a potential predator learns to avoid all yellow-and-black buzzy creatures. 2 generations have been reported from the north, with the duration of each life cycle varying with the season. Each stinging species benefits from mimicking the same warning signal. Deer bot flies, or deer nose botflies ( Cephenemyia spp. Botflies deposit eggs on a host, or sometimes use an intermediate vector such as the common housefly, mosquitoes, and, in the case of D. hominis, a species of tick. Updates? Time magazine published an article in 1938 debunking Townsend's calculations.[9]. deer bot fly is called a mimicry complex by biologists. Browse 77 bot fly stock photos and images available, or search for dog fly or lion to find more great stock photos and pictures. In late May, I was looking for insects in Correllus State Forest when a good-sized fly, resembling a bumblebee, caught my eye as it flew in and perched on a stick on the ground . What you are likely observing are bot fly larvae (genus Cephenemyia). If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office. trompe. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The larva should be removed as soon as possible, to avoid worsening of theinfection. Its larvae are parasites of livestock, small animals and even humans. Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. the North American and European deer nose bot flies (Cephenemyia) and the sheep bot fly (Oestrus ovis). Bot flies typically do all their eating in the larval stages, as internal parasites of mammals. To create your own list of species, use the PDF Creator tool at the bottom of the Advanced Search page. Meat from affected animals is safe for human consumption. Some of the best ways to avoid gettingabotfly infection, especially when traveling to a tropical country, include: In addition, in tropical regions it is recommended to iron all clothing before dressing, especially if it has been sun drying, since the eggs of the fly may stick to the fabric. (2013) Systema Dipterorum, Version 1.5. 455 State Rd., PMB#179Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. A Deer bot fly flies at 90 miles per hour. Current understanding of the bot fly family is that it comprises a number of subfamilies that used to be considered separate families. Nasal Bots in Deer: Harmless but Irritating. [2] Eggs hatch in the uterus of the female. Synonyms for Bot-fly in Free Thesaurus. Other species of botfly are found across the globe, primarily but not exclusively in warm tropical and subtropical regions. Different types of bot flies focus on certain types of mammals, and different species grow in different parts of their hosts body: some growing under the skin, some in the gut, some in nasal or throat passages, and so on. It cuts a breathing opening through the skin and develops at that site for about 21 days. How to Kill Mosquitoes: What Works and What Doesn't, Phylogeny of Oestridae (Insecta: Diptera), Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College, Also Known As: Warble flies, gadflies, heel flies. Nose botflies (Cephenemyia spp. Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. These larvae quickly migrate through the nasal passages into the nasopharyngeal (throat) region, preferably in the throat (retropharyngeal) pouches (causing nasopharyngeal myiasis in the host), where they settle and develop. The Deer Bot-fly . She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. The botfly is any fly from the family Oestridae. After mating, the female botfly captures the phoretic insect by holding onto its wings with her legs. Adults are not commonly seen. Dr. Langmuir more or less definitely . The larva of Cephenemyia auribarbis, infesting the stag, is . They can cause some symptoms such as: The diagnosis of botflyin humans is usually made by adermatologist or aninfectologist through the observation ofthe woundon the skin. All Rights Reserved. Where. Adults do not eat. the world record for the speed of the deer bot fly is 800mph recorded in the guiness book of world . This will asphyxiate the larva to make removal easier. MenuHomeAbout Us CloseStaff & Board MembersNewsletters & Annual ReportsContact UsPrograms & Projects ClosePrograms & ProjectsMentoring ProgramNatural NeighborsNorthern Long-eared BatsSpotted Turtle Research and TrackingBeach-Nesting Bird ProtectionPrograms & ProjectsBlack Racer Snake StudySnake Mapping & MonitoringTracking Willet MigrationCoastal Otter Research2013 Belted Kingfisher & Swallow Colony SurveysMarthas Vineyard Atlas of LifeBirding MV CloseMarthas Vineyard Bird ClubMV Christmas Bird CountNewsWork With Us CloseEmployment OpportunitiesMentoring ProgramVolunteer Opportunities, Spring-SummerSupport Us CloseDonate NOW!Center for Wildlife Studies Capital CampaignEven More Ways to Donate Close Search for: Flies the order Diptera are an incredibly diverse group, and theyve evolved an astonishing array of bizarre life histories. 1986. Townsend published his findings, stating that the fly was able to accomplish a speed of 818 miles an hour. Cephenemyia stimulator, Deer Botfly, Oestridae. The larvae are short, pudgy, segmented grubs that live as parasites in the tissues of animals. [8] Among his specific criticisms were: Using the original report as a basis, Langmuir estimated the deer botfly's true speed at a more plausible 25 mph/40 kmh. Botflies, also known as warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies, are a family of flies known as the Oestridae. The larvae irritate the skin, producing a swelling, or "warble." Larvae (probably this species) have been found parasitizing dogs and humans in New Hampshire. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Adult male bot flies often are attracted to high points in a landscape, which helps them find females (males of many kinds of insects do this, including several types of butterflies; its called hilltopping). Image credit: Karsten Heinrich/Wikimedia.org. The larva of Cephenemyia auribarbis, infesting the stag, is . Eggs hatch inside the female fly and the newly emerged larvae are deposited in the nostrils of a suitable host. [1] The genus name comes from the Greek kphn, drone . The name deer botfly (also deer nose botfly) refers to any species in the genus Cephenemyia (sometimes misspelled as Cephenomyia or Cephenemya), within the family Oestridae. Post graduate in Clinical Dermatology, Cosmiatric and Surgery by CMMG in 2012 and member no. The good news botflies do not affect a deers overall health or the venison. The only species of botfly that parasitizes humans is . Bot flies, found in Central and South America, produce larvae containing internal parasites of mammals and lay them on human skin. The fly is best known for its larval stage or maggot. teeth whitening light does it work. Where bot flies are numerous, they can be serious pests of livestock. This happens in animals that lick themselves or rub their noses on body parts. In the scientific world this fly belongs in the genus Cephenemyia. It has also been reared from house mouse, Norway rat and roof rat. Females flick newly hatched larvae into the nostrils of deer or elk. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Hours: M-F,8 a.m. to5 p.m. Tourism, Outdoor Recreation & Nature Economy, Teaching Through Inquiry & Science Practices, Labor & Financial Recordkeeping & Analysis, Farm & Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), North Country Fruit & Vegetable Seminar & Tradeshow, New Hampshire Master Gardener Alumni Association, Planting and Maintenance of Trees & Shrubs, Main Street Revitalization and Resiliency, Building Community Resilience in New Hampshire, Estate Planning & Land Conservation for N.H. Woodlot Owners, Soil Testing, Insect ID & Plant Diagnostic Lab, Learning about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Often, they are attracted to open wounds or moist, protected parts of the body dirty with urine or fecal material (such as the rear ends of sheep or other livestock). Roughly 150 species are known worldwide. deer bot fly. The botfly life cycle always involves a mammalian host. [15], The sixth episode of season one of the television series Beyond Survival, titled "The Inuit Survivors of the Future", features survival expert Les Stroud and two Inuit guides hunting caribou on the northern coast of Baffin Island near Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada. The astonishing details of this flys life history are as follows. Their life cycles vary greatly according to species, but the larvae of all species are internal parasites of mammals. University of New Hampshire Extension(877) 398-4769 Socit de mdias/d'actualits valorisant le peuple et la culture GBAN. Other tips for recognizing them as true flies (and not the bees they mimic) include tiny antennae, large eyes, and a pair of knobby structures (halteres) where the second pair of wings would be. Thus adult bot flies are Batesian mimics of bees. Links: View images at BugGuide. Richard Gingrich. They can . Stroud and his two Inuit guides eat (albeit somewhat reluctantly) one larva each, with Stroud commenting that the larva "tastes like milk" and was historically commonly consumed by the Inuit. Entomol Soc. Theres an amazing array of insects, worldwide, that strongly resemble stinging bees and wasps. References: Biology and range are reported in: Sabrosky, C.W. This procedure should always be guided by a physician, but one of the ways of doing it at home is to put a pieceoftapeover the wound and leave it for about an hour. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Exciting news continues to roll in for deer hunters and opportunities to watch great shows! Killing the larvae before removal, squeezing them out, or pulling them out with tape is not recommended because rupturing the larvae body can cause anaphylactic shock, make removal of the entire body more difficult, and increase the chance of infection. Look for this PDF icon as you search and browse. Bot fly larvae have been eaten by humans for thousands of years in places where other protein may be hard to come by, including by the Inuit, who commonly find caribou warble fly larvae in the caribou they have hunted. The larvae move through the sinuses into the throat and at the base of the tongue, where they burrow into the tissues and develop. Largely according to species, they also are known variously as warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies. The black-and-yellow (or black-and-red) color pattern is understood by many, many animals as a sign of I could sting you. This sophisticated web of warning colorations (and bluffs!) It migrates through the body for about five days, ending up in tissues just below the skin, in the rear ventral region. The source of this myth was a report in the Journal of the New York Entomological Society: "On 12,000 foot summits in New Mexico I have seen pass me at incredible velocity what were certainly [botflies.] Hawk moths (or sphinx moths) can fly about 33 miles per hour, and a horse fly was recorded flying nearly 90 miles per hour. Well-traveled tabby found 1,400 miles from home . Adult bot flies are less commonly encountered than the grublike larvae. called deer bot-fly. Mothlike in appearance, sand flies can be found inhabiting organic matter in animal burrows, termite hills, and tree holes. Consult your veterinarian for advice on how to handle infestations. Many types of flies mimic bees. [8] Botflies can be controlled with several types of dewormers, including dichlorvos, ivermectin, and trichlorfon. This adult deer bot fly, Cephenemyia phobifer, was resting on a support beam at the top of a fire tower in Osage County. Using a venom extractor syringe from a first aid kit to suck the larvae from the skin. "The moose throat bot fly Cephenemyia ulrichii larvae (Diptera: Oestridae) found developing in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) for the first time". Similar species: As adults, the various types of bot flies may be confused with several kinds of flying insects, including other groups of true flies as well as the various groups of bees they all mimic. Fly of the Month - the dead donkey fly and the reindeer bot-fly. Cephenemyia sp. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [11], Cuterebra fontinella, the mouse botfly, parasitizes small mammals all around North America. Then there are the many groups of true bees that these flies mimic: bumble bees, apid bees, andrenid bees, megachilid bees, longhorn bees, and more. As soon as the first symptoms appear, it is important to consult with a dermatologist, an infectious disease specialist or aG.P. After being ejected by the host, they pupate in soil (2 to 3 weeks) before emerging as a sexually-mature but non-feeding adult, which must quickly find a mate, since its life is short. The botfly that attacks deer is possibly the world's swiftest insect, flying at 80km/h . Search Google Images . Check your local listings for Pursuit Channel. They are large, gray-brown flies, often very accurate mimics of bumblebees. Those that live just under the skin often form a bulge. In humans, the most common New Hampshire cases involve sunbathers in late August or early September. Adult bot flies do not live very long, as they are incapable of eating. Some types live in the nasal or throat cavities of deer. In late May, I was looking for insects in Correllus State Forest when a good-sized fly, resembling a bumblebee, caught my eye as it flew in and perched on a stick on the ground. Eggs are deposited on larger animals' skin directly, or the larvae hatch and drop from the eggs attached to the intermediate vector; the body heat of the host animal induces hatching upon contact or immediate proximity. The larvae penetrate into the subdermal zones of human skin and nestle there for over sixty days. Their larvae live inside living mammals. Nasal Bots in Deer. These larvae quickly migrate through the nasal passages into the nasopharyngeal (throat) region, preferably in the throat (retropharyngeal) pouches (causing nasopharyngeal myiasis in the host), where they settle and develop. Symptoms include a very painful small swelling or pore, firm furuncular lesion around the same pore. Water - 6 ounces. 35: 245-252. Long ago, a claim was made that bot flies could fly 800 miles per hour, but that is clearly incorrect. Those that live just under the skin often form a bulge (called a warble); typically, theres a small hole in the center of the welt through which the larvas breathing tubes extrude. The fastest insect is the deer botfly, which can reach flight speeds of up to 36 mph. Outdoor Life. Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information. Forcefully squeezing the warble from the base to push the larvae through the opening. Mature larvae drop from the host and complete the pupal stage in soil. The human botfly lives in Mexico, Central America, and South America. We believe this may be Laphria thoracica, based on the photos and the range indicated on BugGuide. In the photo of the mouse, the larva is the dark brown spiny protrusion, and the spiracles are brown dots inside a lighter circular tan area. They do not kill the host animal, thus they are true parasites. Largest network of private hospitals in Brazil. suffer more serious consequences from bot fly parasitization, and can die. People who live in other areas generally get infected while traveling. Cuterebra emasculator attacks eastern chipmunk and gray squirrel. in order to confirm the diagnosis. Adults are not commonly seen. The larvae originate from the deer's sinus cavity, nasal passages and/or pouches in the throat region. Usually the larvae do not cause considerable harm to the host other than mild irritation, but heavy infestation may be fatal to the host (death by suffocation) and consequently to the parasite. US, Larvae are endoparasitic in deer, moose, and elk, particularly in the throat (retropharyngeal) pouches near the base of the tongue; adults are free-living. The name deer botfly (also deer nose botfly) refers to any species in the genus Cephenemyia (sometimes misspelled as Cephenomyia or Cephenemya), within the family Oestridae.They are large, gray-brown flies, often very accurate mimics of bumblebees.They attack chiefly the nostrils and pharyngeal cavity of members of the deer family. Plane Designers See 800-Mile-an-Hour Fly; Cephenemyia, Fastest Living Creature, Is Shown at the University of Rochester Museum. Diet: Larvae require mammalian flesh. When it finds a suitable host (limited to white-tailed deer for this fly species on Marthas Vineyard), an adult female Cephenemyia expels a larva into a nostril of the deer. 39 kilometre (s) per hour. A smallish family with about 40 North American representatives, the bot flies (family Oestridae) all have larvae that mature as endoparasites on mammals that is, the fly larvae matures inside a mammals body. Townsend, C. 1927. Nasal bots are the larvae or "maggot stage" of a specialized fly. Langmuir, J. Fawns and adult deer greater than or . In the Durham area, most of the adults are found from June through September. I asked several hunters I know if theyve ever observed one of these larvae, perhaps emerging from a downed deer, and only one reported having seen one. 2016 - 2023 Biodiversityworks. Adult bot flies are usually most common where their host species are common. Larvae from these eggs, stimulated by the warmth and proximity of a large mammal host, drop onto its skin and burrow underneath. The Deer Fly is a large insect that comes in 250 varieties. 8 words related to botfly: gadfly, Gasterophilus intestinalis, horse botfly, Dermatobia hominis, human botfly, Oestrus ovis, sheep botfly, sheep gadfly. It has been credited with speeds over . Species found in the United States include C. apicata, C. jellisoni, C. phobifer, C. pratti, and C. In some species, botfly eggs are easily identified. Because of the very rare occurrence of botfly infections, these are usually misdiagnosed as leishmaniasis, cellulitis or furunculosis. The source of this extraordinary claim was an article by entomologist Charles Henry Tyler Townsend in the 1927 Journal of the New York Entomological Society, wherein Townsend claimed to have estimated a speed of 400 yards per second while observing Cephenemyia pratti at 12,000 feet in New Mexico.[7]. Once . Movement may sometimes be felt within the lump. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Fascinatingly Gross Botfly Facts." Compared to native host species (like white-footed mouse), non-native hosts (Norway rat, black rat, house mouse, etc.) Adults do not have functional mouthparts and do not eat. The Oestridae now are generally defined as including the former families Oestridae, Cuterebridae, Gasterophilidae, and Hypodermatidae as subfamilies. Since that isn't always practical, the next best tactic is to apply insect repellent to deter flies as well as mosquitoes, wasps, and ticks that can carry fly eggs. They are black with pale yellow markings and smoky wings. Some flies are blood suckers, such as the sand fly (Phlebotominae). However, sometimes the irritation caused by the larvae leads to skin ulceration, which can result in infection and death. Description. Many resemble bees, but they are incapable of stinging. If you have a high quality photo of this species, are confident in the identification, and would like to submit it Adults of C. fontinella are large, robust flies, with large eyes, and bodies 15 to 17mm long (roughly 5/8 inch). Deer Bot Fly 27 30 3 Dragonfly 40 40 1 Hawkmoth 34 30 2 Hornet 21 20 4 Monarch butterfly 16 20 6 1) Use the facts below to complete the missing data in the table: The bumblebee is 3 mph slower than a hornet. Insect bites or staphylococcal because of the mentioned bare very similar traits. As the larva grows, a boil-like swelling (called a warble) develops in the host. Eventually fully developed larvae will exit the deer (possibly through a sneeze) and pupate in the ground to . [13], Dermatobia hominis, the human botfly, occasionally uses humans to host its larvae. Dermatobia larvae have spines, which worsen the irritation. Looking at the photos, I immediately noticed the absence of mouthparts, figured that meant a bot fly, and in short order was able to ID the fly as Cephenemyia phobifer a deer nose bot fly. [16], Copious art dating back to the Pleistocene in Europe confirms their consumption in premodern times, as well. Thompson F.C., Pape T., Evenhuis N.L. [12] A method using a reverse syringe design snake bite extractor prooved to be suitable for removing larvae from the skin. Hunters processing their game frequently discover the pudgy larvae of deer nasal bot flies in the heads or body cavities of deer and elk. Our most common bot fly is Cuterebra fontinella, reported to occur in most of the continental US (except Alaska), plus southern Canada and Northeastern . Other reports (species not determined) are from voles and chipmunks. The word "bot" in this sense means a maggot. Several methods are used to remove fly larvae. pratti. Item number: XHT1049. [5] Most other species of flies implicated in myiasis are members of related families, such as blow-flies. Adults are bumble bee mimics. 1981. Don't Panic. The details vary from bot fly to bot fly, with different taxonomic groups of bot flies targeting different mammalian species and different parts of the body. However, Langmuir (1938) refuted this claim calculating that to attain this speed (equivalent to half a horse power) the fly would have to consume 1.5 its own weight in fuel every second. ThoughtCo. [9][10], Philornis botflies often infest nestlings of wild parrots, like scarlet macaws[11] and hyacinth macaws. Oral dosing with the antiparasitic avermectin, which leads to the spontaneous emergence of the larvae. The preferred method is to apply a topical anesthetic, slightly enlarge the opening for the mouthparts, and use forceps to remove the larvae. [6] Intermediate vectors are often used, since a number of animal hosts recognize the approach of a botfly and flee.[7]. But Ill remain alert for more examples of this interesting family, such as the genus Cuterebra, with larvae that mature under the skin of rabbits and rodents. When a horse rubs its nose on its legs, the eggs are transferred to the mouth and from there to the intestines, where the larvae grow and attach themselves to the stomach lining or the small intestine. Dragonflies can fly about 25 miles per hour. Hi Susy, We are quite excited to get your image of Nasal Bot Fly Maggots in a Deer's head. https://FieldGuide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IIDIPY8020, Bumble Bee Species Accounts at Montana Entomology Collection, Field Guide to Common Western Grasshoppers, Native Wildflowers and Bees of Western Montana, Natural Heritage MapViewer (Statewide Database of Animal Observations), North American Dragonflies - Slater Museum of Natural History, USDA Grasshoppers: their biology, identification, and management, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Web Search Engines for Articles on "Deer Bot Fly", Additional Sources of Information Related to "Insects". The flies are obligate internal mammalian parasites, which means they can't complete their life cycle unless the larvae have a suitable host. I hope youll join me in exploring the natural diversity of this incomparable place! The botfly is a type of parasitic fly, best known for disturbing images of its larval stage buried in skin and from horror stories of infested people. Understandably, many people opt for medical removal of the bot. They belong to a family of flies called the Tabanids. [1] The genus name comes from the Greek kphn, drone bee, and myia, fly. The fertilized female does this over and over again to distribute the 100 to 400 eggs she produces in her short adult stage of life of only 89 days. Where the same warning signals (such as coloration or loud buzzing) is shared honestly among stinging insects, its termed Mllerian mimicry. 1287 km/h) . Adult length: about 1 inch. One large group parasitizes rodents and rabbits. 2002. We strive to provide accurate . Bot flies can, however, fly at speeds of up to 25 or 50 miles per hour, making them some of the faster insect fliers. America Thomas Say Foundation Monograph, College Park, MD. These four shows will make Saturday Night Deer Camp your must-watch viewing this year. Adult female flies deposit small larvae on the skin of the nose and mouth of white-tailed deer. Bot flies comprise the family Cuterebridae, and are parasites that attack mammals. In scientific journals as well as the lay press, the botfly has been widely publicized as the fastest thing on earth. Numbers of first, second and third stage bot fly instars were related to age, sex, year and geographic location of the mule deer. [14], In cold climates supporting reindeer or caribou-reliant populations, large quantities of Hypoderma tarandi (caribou warble fly) maggots are available to human populations during the butchery of animals. They are found mainly in the tropics, with a few species in temperate regions. Their primary job, at this stage of life, is to reproduce. After removing the larva isimportant to treat the region with aantibiotic ointment, which can be prescribed by a doctor, to prevent further infection by bacteria. There they become attached in clusters and develop into what can best be described as full-sized maggots. Medical & Veterinary Entomology by Gary Mullen and Lance Durden, Academic Press, Boston, MA. The hawkmoth is 7 mph faster than a deer bot fly. A botfly, [1] also written bot fly, [2] bott fly [3] or bot-fly [4] in various combinations, is any fly in the family Oestridae. Bot flies arent even capable of biting, much less stinging. Other European species include C. auribarbis and C. [6] (For comparison, the speed of sound in air is 768 mph/1236kmh .) Well, its almost something out of a sci-fi movie. These creatures are as large as the largest grubs; they grow all together in a cluster, and they are usually about twenty in number. Townsend published his findings, stating that the fly was able to accomplish a speed of 818 miles an hour.