Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Fly larva from an animal wound (Blow fly, Bluebottle fly, Calliphora spp.). Dipteran flies lay eggs on

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Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Fly larva from an animal wound (Blow fly, Bluebottle fly, Calliphora spp.). Dipteran flies lay eggs on an animal if opportunity arises due to a wound or infection. The eggs develop into the larval maggots and they use hooks to attach to the flesh on which it feeds. Its mouth is seen located the hooks. Secreted enzymes breakdown and liquefy the meat which, is then absorbed. After 2 moults (3-4 days), the maggots (larvae) pupate. Adult flies frequent unsavoury places and as a result pick up and transmit diseases to humans. Tissue destruction caused by the larvae can result in serious injury. Magnification: x4 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.

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Size: 2646px × 3302px
Photo credit: © DENNIS KUNKEL MICROSCOPY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 20111c, animal, blow, blue, bluebottle, bottle, calliphora, calliphoridae, calliphorinae, carrier, colored, coloured, dipteran, disease, domestica, electron, false-colored, false-coloured, fly, house, human, infection, insect, insects, larva, larvae, lateral, micrograph, musca, myiasis, pathogen, pest, scanning, sem, vector