Oestrus variolosus (Loew 1863)

Members of the Oestrine genera Oestrus, Gedoelstia, Kirkioestrus and Rhinoestrus look superficially similar to one another, having mottled patterns of black, brown, gold and white.

In Oestrus variolosus, the wings are long and narrow; the cross vein r-m is situated before the middle of the discal cell; wing vein M1 without a stump vein. Median carina of antennal fovea interrupted between the third antennal segments; parafrontalia with pits. Thorax mahogany brown, covered mainly with golden shimmering pruinosity. Scutellum brownish yellow, the integument very finely rough, with a small number of black spots. Abdomen relatively elongated, a little longer than the thorax, light reddish brown at the base, on the ventral side and on the flanks; very dark brown almost black at the posterior edge of the 1st segment and on the dorsal region of the following rings. The integument is almost completely covered with a shimmering pruinosity with velvety black, golden or silver-gold reflections.

Key to genera and species in:
Papavero, N. 1977. Subfamily Oestrinae Leach. The World Oestridae (Diptera), Mammals and Continental Drift, 71–98. doi:10.1007/978-94-010-1306-2_10
https://sci-hub.ru/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-1306-2_10

Description and illustrations in:
Rodhain, J., and Bequaert, J. 1916. Matériaux pour une étude monographique des Diptres parasites de
l’Afrique. Deuxime partie. Revision des Oestrinae du continent africain. Bulletin scientifique de la France et de la Belgique, 7 (1-2)
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/249122#page/119/mode/1up

Hosts: Antelopes of the tribes Alcelaphini and Hippotragini: Connochaetes taurinus; Alcelaphus buselaphus and A. lichtensteinii; Damaliscus lunatus, and D. dorcas; Hippotragus niger; Oryx gazella.
Nasal bots spend a significant part of their larval life in the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses of mammals. They are grouped in the Oestrinae (sensu Zumpt, 1965) and comprise five genera whose larvae parasitize those ungulates which have suitable noses and sinuses. Adult females lay first stage larvae in and around the nostrils of the host. The remainder of their parasitic life cycles is completed in the nasal passages, paranasal sinus cavities or peripharyngeal regions. Mature larvae drop to the ground and pupate into flies.

Distribution: Afrotropical. Type locality: Bloemfontein, South Africa

iNat observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/201560341

Posted on 07 de março de 2024, 06:10 PM by traianbertau