Weird large growth on Isabelle

[pepina]

Just saw one I released last spring for the first time in a week or so, and noticed this strange large growth on her. What is this??! 304608304609304610

[TubeDriver]

Looks like Bot Fly. They are absolutely disgusting but mostly harmless. The Bot Fly will exit and it will heal on its own. Do not mess with it because if it is killed while in the squirrel, it could result in an infection. Rehabbers will not treat this unless there are 6+ Bots on a squirrel at which point it can weaken the squirrel and removal may be required.

[pepina]

Whoa, I had no idea about that! Hard to believe it's harmless considering how horrible it looks, but that is very comforting to know. Thanks!!


Looks like Bot Fly. They are absolutely disgusting but mostly harmless. The Bot Fly will exit and it will heal on its own. Do not mess with it because if it is killed while in the squirrel, it could result in an infection. Rehabbers will not treat this unless there are 6+ Bots on a squirrel at which point it can weaken the squirrel and removal may be required.

[Javarat]

Bot flies, like cicadas, follow yearly cycles.
After they fall out of the squirrel, they live in the ground for a couple of years, then turn into flies and place eggs on upper branches.
You never see them because once they can fly they live only a short while in the tops of the trees.

Adult Bot Fly:
(they look like a honey bee and a horsefly had a baby)
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We had a really bad bot fly year in Georgia back in 2014.. and it looks like 2018 is going to be the same. Every single squirrel seems to have at least one right now.