The effect of botfly parasitism of Metacuterebra apicalis (Diptera) on reproduction, survival and general health of Oryzomys russatus (Rodentia), in Southeastern Brazil

Myiases by cuterebrid botflies can compromise the reproductive activities a nd survival of the infected hosts. We examined the effects of parasitism by cuterebrid botflies (Metacuterebra apicalis) on the reproduction, survival and general health of the rice-rat, Oryzomys russatus. This study was carr ied out in an Atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil from February, 1993 th rough January, 1995. The prevalence of botfly myiases in O. russatus was hi ghly seasonal, increasing during the warm, humid months and decreasing duri ng the cold, dry months. Male hosts were infected significantly more often than females, but our results suggests that the survival, general health an d reproduction of O. russatus were not altered by the parasitism of M. apic alis.