Myiasis in European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)

Abstract

Myiasis due to parasitic fly larvae (maggots) can have major consequences for animal health and welfare. The European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus is frequently presented in rehabilitation centres and veterinary practices due to health problems, including myiasis. In the present study, 557 hedgehogs presented at wildlife rehabilitation centres in Northern Germany during 2018-2021 were examined for the presence of dipteran eggs and larvae. Overall, 15.6% of animals carried fly eggs and/or larvae. Four different dipteran species were identified by PCR and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) region. Lucilia sericata was detected on 25.3% [22/87] of affected hedgehogs, followed by Calliphora vicina (12.6% [11/87]), Lucilia ampullacea (11.5% [10/87]) and Lucilia caesar (9.2% [8/87]). Myiasis prevalence was significantly higher during the summer compared to spring and autumn. Fly eggs were found all over the body, while larvae were detected most frequently in the body's natural orifices and in wounds. Regarding rehabilitation success, myiasis occurred significantly more frequently in animals that died or were euthanized compared to those released back into the wild. Although the high death rate probably arose in combination with underlying disease, this illustrates that myiasis represents a serious health issue that should be diagnosed and treated immediately.

Keywords: Calliphora vicina; Lucilia ampullacea; Lucilia caesar; Lucilia sericata; Strike; animal welfare; blowfly; diptera; fly strike; maggots.

Graphical abstract

Figure 1.

Infestation with dipteran larvae of the body surface (A) and wounds (B) as well as presence of dipteran eggs on the head (C) and in wounds (D) of European hedgehogs.

Figure 2.

Infestation of natural body orifices (A: ear, B: eye, C: oral cavity, D: anus, E: preputium, F: vulva) with dipteran larvae in European hedgehogs.

Figure 3.

Distribution of affected body areas among 22 European hedgehogs carrying dipteran eggs (A) and 36 hedgehogs carrying dipteran larvae (B). Body localisations are (clockwise starting at the bottom left): anus, body surface, oral cavity, eye, ear, head (bracket), wound and genital opening. Blue shading and size of the circles indicate the absolute numbers of affected individuals, while percentage values refer to the detection frequency among the total number of infested animals.

Figure 4.

Detection frequency of dipteran eggs and/or larvae on European hedgehogs in Northern Germany during the years 2018–2021. Total numbers of examined animals per month are shown above the bars. No animals were examined in the months December 2020 and January 2021. Note that 26 (4.7%) of the 557 hedgehogs were infested with both eggs and larvae.