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Protocalliphora Avium (Diptera) Myiasis in Great Horned Owls, Red-Tailed Hawks, and Swainson's Hawks in North Dakota

Authors
Peter B. Tirrell
Journal
Raptor Research
Volume
12
Issue
1-2 (Spring/Summer)
Year
1978
Pages
21-27
Section
Scientific Papers
Online Text

Abstract

In Grand Forks County, North Dakota, in 1970-1971, I found the following numbers of nestlings parasitized by Protocalliphora avium (Diptera): Great Horned Owl, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 34; and Swainson's Hawk, 2. I found cutaneous myiasis in the auditory meatus, nape and neck, axillary area, anal area, and a retrix follicle. Aggregations of eggs in the axillary areas and uniformly-sized larvae in the aural cavities of Red-tailed Hawks suggest that eggs of P. avium were deposited directly upon the host. Larvae remained in the ears of a captive Red-tailed Hawk until they were mature. Nestlings with several sites of infestation were visibly weaker, smaller, and more poorly developed than other nestlings. Sibling attacks on nestling Red-tailed Hawks with heavy infestations of P. avium may result in death.

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p00021-p00027.pdf (534.33 KB)

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