Rat-tailed maggot (parasite mimic)

Rat-tailed maggots, otherwise known as hoverfly larvae, may be found in stagnant water, and occasionally, in toilet bowels. In the latter scenario, they may be mistaken for human parasites and submitted to the microbiology laboratory for identification. They can be differentiated from myiasis-causing fly larvae by their long respiratory siphon located at their posterior end.