Cuterebra lepivora
This record describes Cuterebra lepivora (species). Recorded family: Oestridae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
white hair tuft spot near the wing is among distinguishing characters; can look a lot like C. jellisoni info based on George Jeff Boettner's comments
Wikipedia reference for Cuterebra lepivora: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuterebra_lepivora.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
often found very close to the coast; uses lek sites. I suspect the males tend to lek (i.e. fight over prime spots for mating) overlooking the coast
Geographic Range
WA‒CA
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hosts: rabbits ( Sylvilagus audubonii and S. nuttallii ); larva generally in host's neck
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cuterebra lepivora Coquillett 1898
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Cuterebra lepivora. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Cuterebra lepivora (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuterebra lepivora
What is Cuterebra lepivora?
Cuterebra lepivora is a species in the family Oestridae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Cuterebra lepivora?
white hair tuft spot near the wing is among distinguishing characters; can look a lot like C. jellisoni
Where is Cuterebra lepivora found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | often found very close to the coast; uses lek sites. I suspect the males tend to lek (i.e. fight over prime spots for mating) overlooking the coast |
| Range | WA‒CA |
What does Cuterebra lepivora eat?
The diet of the Cuterebra lepivora includes Hosts: rabbits ( Sylvilagus audubonii and S. nuttallii ); larva generally in host's neck.