How Common Are Bot Flies in Humans?

Botflies are a type of fly that most often lives in moist areas such as mountains and forests. Humans are often in contact with these insects during travel. These insects can cause intense itching at the site of wounds. If you think you have been bitten by a botfly, you should see a dermatologist or an infectologist.

The human botfly is relatively rare in the United States, but it is common in the tropics. This insect usually lays eggs on mosquitoes or flies. The egg develops into larvae, which then burrow into a host’s skin. The larvae will stay on the host’s body for 27 to 128 days before they pupate and become adults. The adult human botfly will be about one to three centimeters in length.

Human bot flies are the source of furuncular myiasis in Central and South America. These tiny insects lay their eggs on warm-blooded hosts, which triggers the eggs to hatch. The larvae then drop onto the warm host and enter the host’s skin without pain.

The adult human botfly is rare. Most of the time, the larvae are small and can be removed by self-extraction. However, if the larvae are in deep burrowing places, you may need to visit a doctor.