Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as Agent of Myiasis in a Goose in Italy and a Review of Myiasis by This Species in Birds.

Abstract

Simple SummaryAn unusual case of traumatic myiasis by Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), the first by this species described in a bird in Italy, occurred in a domestic goose, Anser anser domesticus L. (Anseriformes: Anatidae), living in a rural area of the region Calabria (Southern Italy). The case is discussed together with an updated and detailed review of worldwide cases of myiasis by L. sericata in birds.Myiasis is a type of parasitosis by larvae of Diptera that may affect vertebrates, including wild and domestic birds. Traumatic myiasis was discovered in a domestic goose, Anser anser domesticus L. (Anseriformes: Anatidae), in June 2020 in a rural area of the region Calabria (Southern Italy). The myiasis was caused by Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). In Italy, this was the first case of myiasis by L. sericata ever described in a bird. It was also the first case of myiasis detected in a goose in Italy. The description of the case is integrated by a discussion on nonhematophagous dipteran larvae causing myiasis in birds and by an updated and detailed review of literature cases of myiasis by L. sericata in birds reported worldwide, useful for monitoring and management of dipteran species of medical and veterinary interest.