Definition of warble fly
: any of various beelike flies (family Oestridae) having larvae that are internal parasites of mammals (such as cattle)
Note: Warble flies lay eggs on the hair of their hosts. After hatching, the larvae burrow through the host's skin and migrate through subcutaneous tissue to specific parts of the body (such as the esophagus or spinal canal). The eggs or larvae may also enter the host's body by being ingested as the animal licks its hair. After several weeks the larvae travel to the posterior end of the animal and form cysts or warbles below the skin. Following several molts, the mature larvae emerge through the skin to begin the final stage of development in the ground.
— see cattle grubKeep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Who Knew?
-
- What is a ruelle?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
The first known use of warble fly was in 1877
See more words from the same year