Development of Cuterebra ruficrus (Diptera: Cuterebridae) in six species of rabbits and rodents with a morphological comparison of C. ruficrus and C. jellisoni third instars.

Abstract

The development of the rabbit bot fly, Culerebra ruficrus Austen, was studied under laboratory conditions. A colony of the parasites was maintained in captive black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus). Other hosts infected were mountain cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus nuttalli), pigmy rabbits (Sylvilagus idahoensis), domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), deer mice (Peromyscus maniwlatus), and laboratory mice (Mus musculus). Host specificity was demonstrated in favor of the native hosts, black-tailed jackrabbits, in which the larvae required 74 days to mature. Larval development in cottontail rabbits averaged 68 days, but in some cases the larvae had difficulty exiting from hosts. Some larval mortality was observed. Larvae did not survive past the 17th day in pigmy rabbits or the 44th day in domestic rabbits. Larvae in all lagomorph hosts were found at subcutaneous sites in the back and rump. Rodents were refractory. Third instar C. ruficrus were distinguishable from the corresponding phase of C. jellisoni by posterior spiracular characters.