The production of meat, milk and leather from cattle in the Neotropics is severely affected
by infestations with the larvae of Dermatobia hominis . According to MR Honer et al.
the "berne" or larva of D. hominis is currently the most important ectoparasite
affecting meat-producing cattle in Brazil, with infestations sometimes reaching 600 larvae per
animal. The economic damage caused by D. hominis to the cattle industry in Brazil
and Central America is enormous, losses being estimated at some $200 million per year.
