Bot Fly Infestation

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Box turtles are commonly subject to the ravages of migrating bot

fly larvae.  These large parasites are different from the much

smaller maggots (larvae of other flies).  The adult flies deposit

their eggs on the skin and/or mucous membranes, and the newly

hatched larvae penetrate into the body and form large, visible

lumps where they come to rest, resembling abscesses.  These

grubs may cause substantial tissue damage and mechanical

interference for the turtle.  Some turtles die as a result of

this infestation.