Cordylobia rodhaini

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Cordylobia rodhaini, also known as Lund's fly, is a tropical African fly. Its larvae are parasites that mainly affect small mammals, and humans are only accidental hosts.

Life cycle in short
- The female lays up to about 500 eggs on damp ground or on dried clothing.
- Eggs hatch in about 3 days.
- The larva enters the skin and grows for roughly 12–15 days.
- The larva leaves the skin to pupate, and adults emerge about 23–26 days later.
- The whole cycle takes about 2 months.

What happens to people
- A red bump or lump forms on the skin, often with a central opening.
- It can be itchy and painful, especially as the larva grows.
- The lesion usually heals on its own after the larva leaves, but removal may speed healing.
- In some cases, improper removal can cause infection or immune reactions.

What to do if infected
- The instinct is to remove the larva gently; this is best done by applying gentle pressure or using petroleum jelly/oil to coax it to the surface.
- Keep the wound clean and covered to prevent infection.
- Do not use unsterilized tools or squeeze too hard, which can cause complications.

Prevention
- In endemic areas, avoid leaving wet clothes out at dawn or dusk when flies are most active.
- Iron clothes to kill any eggs or larvae.
- Practice good hygiene and keep living areas clean.

Where it occurs
- It is mostly found in Sub-Saharan Africa, in tropical regions. Cases can be reported in travelers’ countries, but it is not contagious between people.