Gasterophilus intestinalis (Diptera: Oestridae) in the diaphragmatic muscle: An unusual finding

Abstract Larval forms of the bot-fly Gasterophilus are obligate parasites commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of equids, causing intestinal myiasis. Five species are reported so far in Italy, mostly observed during necroscopy, located in different portion of gastrointestinal tract of equids: G. intestinalis , G. nasalis , G. inermis , G. pecorum and G. haemorrhoidalis . An unusual finding of larval Gasterophilus intestinalis deeply inserted into the diaphragmatic muscle is here reported. Due to the uncommon localization, to the absence of clinical signs related to myiasis and subsequent uncertainty of species identity, identification was performed using an integrative taxonomical approach combining morphology with molecular tools for confirmatory reasons. This finding adds information on migration patterns of erratic larval forms in G. intestinalis , a feature of interest as gasterophiliasis is among the less studied intestinal myiasis of horses.