Question:

Tumour like growth and occasionally ulceration in the stomach of equines is caused by the larvae of:

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Remember that "Gasterophilus" literally translates to "stomach-loving," making it easy to associate with the stomach bots of horses that cause gastric ulcers.
  • Stable Fly
  • Gasterophilus spp.
  • Oestrus ovis
  • Hypoderma spp.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Myiasis refers to the invasion of live host tissues by dipteran larvae.
In equids, specific flies lay eggs on the hair or body of the animal, and the hatched larvae migrate to and colonize the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the stomach.
This condition is known as gastrointestinal myiasis or gasterophilosis.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us review the larval habitats of the given options:
1. Gasterophilus spp.:
These are the horse bot flies (e.g., Gasterophilus intestinalis, Gasterophilus nasalis).
The adult flies lay eggs on the horse's coat, and larvae enter the mouth via licking.
They eventually migrate to the stomach, where they attach securely to the gastric mucosa using powerful oral hooks.
The larvae of Gasterophilus intestinalis typically attach to the non-glandular part of the stomach, whereas Gasterophilus nasalis attaches near the pylorus.
Their attachment and feeding activities cause chronic irritation, leading to reactive tissue proliferation (tumor-like growths) and crater-like gastric ulcers.
Therefore, this option is correct.
2. Stable Fly (Stomoxys calcitrans):
The stable fly is an external blood-sucking insect.
Its larvae develop in decaying organic matter and vegetation, not inside the host's stomach.
Therefore, this option is incorrect.
3. Oestrus ovis:
Commonly known as the sheep nasal bot fly, its larvae develop in the nasal passages and frontal sinuses of sheep and goats, not in the equine stomach.
Therefore, this option is incorrect.
4. Hypoderma spp.:
These are warble flies of cattle.
Their larvae migrate through the subcutaneous tissues of cattle to develop warbles on the back, and do not infest the equine stomach.
Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The larvae of Gasterophilus spp. inhabit the equine stomach, causing chronic inflammatory tissue reactions, tumor-like growths, and ulceration.
Therefore, the correct answer is option (B).
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