Traumatic myiasis in an Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) due to Lucilia cuprina first report

Abstract

Blow flies are responsible for causing myiasis in livestock and birds. A one-year old Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) was found dead with maggots on the leg and wing at Kurivimalai, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. Morphological examination of third stage larvae revealed five lobes on anterior spiracle and three longitudinal slits, incomplete circumference of peritreme and absence of button on the posterior spiracle based on which, they were identified as Lucilia cuprina. This report appears to be the first on wound myiasis in an Indian peafowl due to L. cuprina worldwide.