First Report of Nasal Bot Fly (Cephenemyia jellisoni) in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Inhabiting Tropical Dry Forests in Central Mexico

Abstract

This is the first report of nasopharyngeal myiasis by the larvae of Cephenemyia jellisoni infecting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from tropical dry forests in central Mexico. This study was conducted on hunted male deer within 2 wildlife management units located in the states of Puebla and Oaxaca. Bot fly larvae prevalence in both populations was 50% (95% CI: 21–78%, n = 12) with a median intensity of 4 (95% CI: 3–7). We recommend the implementation of a surveillance program at management units and the monitoring of female deer to determine differential gender effects.