The rodent bot fly is a unique creature. They are difficult to identify because of their size and color. The rodent bot fly is found in warm areas in and near Colorado. They have interesting eating patterns. They were recently identified by Sabrosky in 1986, so not much is known about this big fly. 

 

The rodent bot fly is difficult to identify because of its size and color. The adult form of a full grown rodent bot fly is about 20mm. Because, they are black they are mistakenly overlooked as bumble bees. They have no adaptations. They have a faint white line under their large eyes and are extremely hard to identify.

The rodent bot fly is found in warm areas in and near Colorado. Sometimes, the rodent bot fly is found in parts south of Colorado in South and Central America. Because of their short lives and wide spread habitats it is hard to estimate an approximate population. Usually though, they will be found in North America. Moreover, the rodent bot fly is not being conserved. 

​

The rodent bot fly has interesting eating patterns. Adult rodent bot flies lay their eggs in front of an animal’s den. When the animal makes contact with the eggs, the eggs hatch and the larvae burrow into the animal. When the larva has matured it leaves its host and begins to pupae. A rodent bot fly doesn’t have the capability to eat so instead it reproduces more rodent bot flies before it dies. Their larvae usually prey on small animals like mice, and the host is left weak and quickly becomes easy to hunt.

​

The rodent bot fly is important because they have the capacity to weaken animals and help make food easier to catch. What stood out to me was the fascinating way the larvae of rodent bot fly ate. Also, what stood out to me was the lack of information available on the rodent bot fly. I truly do believe that rodent bot fly is a unique animal.  

​

Author: Seth M.
Published: 02/2013

Sources: Wiki.bugwood.org/HPIPM:Rodent_ Bot
www.colostate.edu/Dept/bspm/extension%20and%20outreach/Rodent%20Bots
http://bugguide.net/node/view/53511/tree

​

Photo Credit: http://bugguide.net/nodde/view/79445/bgimage