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SEM of maggots of the green blow fly
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SEM of maggots of the green blow fly
Scanning electron micrograph of maggots (2 hours old) of the greenbottle, or green blow fly, Lucilia caesar, feeding on a piece of raw beef. The greenbottle lays eggs in places of abundant food for the future maggots (rotting vegetation, dung piles, exposed food & corpses). The mouth end (front maggot, the others showing posteriors), tapers into a thin wedge with two mouth hooks to stabilise the maggot. Secreted enzymes breakdown & liquify the meat which, is then absorbed. After 2 moults (3-4 days), the maggots (larvae) pupate. Adult flies frequent unsavoury places & as a result pick up & transmit diseases to humans. Magnification: X9 at 35mm, X60 at 10x8 inch size
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Media ID 6462087
© DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the intricate details of green blow fly maggots, captured through a scanning electron microscope. The image reveals two-hour-old maggots feasting on a piece of raw beef, highlighting their unique feeding behavior. Greenbottle flies lay eggs in environments abundant with decaying matter such as rotting vegetation, dung piles, exposed food, and corpses - all serving as future sustenance for their offspring. The front maggot is prominently displayed in this photograph, showcasing its tapered mouth end that resembles a thin wedge. This structure is equipped with two mouth hooks that provide stability while the maggot feeds. Through the secretion of enzymes, these voracious feeders break down and liquefy the meat before absorbing it into their bodies. As they grow and develop over three to four days through two molts, these larvae eventually enter the pupal stage known as pupation. However fascinating their life cycle may be, adult green blow flies are notorious for frequenting unsanitary locations where they come into contact with disease-causing agents. Consequently, they become vectors for transmitting diseases to humans. With magnification at X9 when printed at 35mm size or X60 when enlarged to 10x8 inches, this extraordinary photograph offers an up-close look into the world of these intriguing creatures. It serves as a testament to nature's diversity and complexity within the realms of animal wildlife and zoology while shedding light on an often overlooked aspect of insect biology: the humble yet vital role played by maggots
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