VPA 221: Veterinary Entomology and Acarology (1+1)

MATURE LARVAE

Morphology of mature larvae

• L₃ larva resembles larvae of Musca
• 10-14mm long
• Greyish white/pale yellow in colour
• Anterior extremity with a pair of oral hooks
• Posterior spiracle on broad, flattened posterior end

Posterior spiracle

• Three long slender slits more or less parallel to one another
• Two types of larvae recognised 
  • Smooth larvae eg. Lucilia sp
  • Hairy larvae – has thorn like projections with small spines at the tip eg. larvae of Chrysomyia sp