How Do You Spell HYPODERMA BOVIS?

1. Hypoderma bovis refers to a species of botfly, commonly known as the cattle grub or cattle warble fly. It belongs to the family Oestridae, which comprises a group of parasitic flies commonly found in various mammals. Hypoderma bovis has a particular affinity to cattle, infecting mainly bovines but occasionally affecting other ungulates such as buffalo and deer.

   The life cycle of Hypoderma bovis begins when the adult female fly deposits eggs, primarily on the hind legs of a host. The eggs hatch into small larvae that penetrate the skin, migrating through subcutaneous tissues and eventually reaching the esophagus or spinal canal. The larvae feed upon the host's tissues and grow in size, forming distinct warbles or cyst-like nodules beneath the skin. This external presence creates discomfort and can lead to significant economic losses in livestock production.

   During the subsequent summer, the larvae mature into the third instar, emerge from the host's body, and fall to the ground. They burrow into the soil and pupate, undergoing a metamorphosis phase before emerging as adult flies in the following spring.

   Livestock infested with Hypoderma bovis may exhibit symptoms such as restlessness, weight loss, reduced milk production, and skin inflammation. The economic impact stems from the reduced quality of hides and meat, as well as expenses related to treating or preventing infestations. Control methods often involve treating animals with systemic insecticides, managing pasture rotations, and implementing trapping systems to minimize fly populations.

2. Ox-bot, heel-fly, a fly which oviposits in the hair above the hoof in cattle.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for HYPODERMA BOVIS

The word "Hypoderma bovis" has a specific scientific etymology that reflects its taxonomy and origin. It is derived from Greek and Latin roots.

1. Hypoderma: The first part of the word, "Hypo-", means "below" or "under" in Greek, while "derma" means "skin". Therefore, "Hypoderma" refers to a condition or organism that exists or affects the skin from beneath.

2. Bovis: The second part of the word, "bovis", comes from the Latin word for "cattle". In taxonomic nomenclature, this particular species is associated with cattle (Bos taurus), as it is a parasitic fly that affects the skin of cattle.

Combining these two parts, "Hypoderma bovis" refers to a specific species of fly whose larvae, known as cattle grubs, infest the skin of cattle.