Botfly
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
The human botfly (Dermatobia hominis) lays its eggs on a mosquito. When the mosquito eventually feeds on a host (ie. you), those botfly eggs hatch. Then, the larva must grow and mature, a process that takes about six to eight weeks, all of which happens beneath the skin. Yes, these creepy insects actually hatch and grow within the body, then pop out through the skin to survive.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Image Source: The 10 Most Known
While it’s not hard to kill the larvae (one must only cut off their air supply by covering the skin with nail polish or petroleum jelly), after death the larvae must then be extracted from the person’s body. Check out this creepy compilation of people pulling the botfly larvae from the body. Warning: It’s not for the faint of heart.
Next up: When you have a bug that’s named for another terrifying creature, it can’t be good…
