C. fontinella is typically around 1 cm (0.39 in) in length with a black and yellow color pattern.

[citation needed] C. fontinella is found all around North America, including in most of the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico.

[citation needed] C. fontinella inhabits deciduous forests of North America.

The head segment is shield shaped, colored white or tan, contains antennal pits and retractable mandibles.

[check spelling][14] Adults are typically 30 mm (1.2 in) and have a close resemblance to bees.

[16] The ideal conditions for development are warm and humid, characteristic of southern climates.

[17] Once on the host, the larva enters through the nose, mouth, eyes, anus, or any open wound.

Inside the body, the larva migrates and settles near the groin,[7] then creates a “warble” with a small hole at the top layer of skin for breathing.

No secondary egg development occurs, likely due to the short adult lifespan of C.

If entering either through the nose, mouth, or eyes, the larvae first orient themselves using the host's nasal passageway.

[18] If the larvae enter the host through an open wound or the anus, they find the closest portion of the standard tract, then continue their journey as they normally would.

[9] Once settled, the larva creates areas of swelling in the subcutaneous skin layer of their host.

The capsule starts off as thin tissue, and thickens as larval development continues due to natural bodily healing of the host.

[9] Individuals infested with C. fontinella can experience anemia, leukocytosis, plasma protein imbalances, local tissue damage, and splenomegaly.

Nasal, oral, and anal resistance cause a decrease in infestation rate when exposed to larvae of 15-30%.

[15] Adult males fly 1–2 m above the ground for up to 4 hours a day in the presence of sunlight to attract a mate.

Once a female demonstrates her interest, the pair finds a nearby branch or leaf for stability.

Covered by dense hairs, the ovipositor resembles a horseshoe, with two sclerite ends and a chitinous plate between them.

[12] Males of C. fontinella fly around their territories from the time at which the temperature exceeds 20 °C to the early afternoon.

Fly density varies depending on weather conditions and the time of the year.

Hybridization between species within the genus Cuterebra has been known to occur, and can cause ambiguity within testing.

In most cases, the larvae remain in relatively benign locations such as in the eye or in the subcutaneous regions within the eyelid.

Most cases of human infestation within North America are caused by the victim traveling into regions where D. hominis is present.

Treatment typically consists of removal of the larva and then prevention of secondary bacterial infections.

Larvae that die within the vitreous humor of the eye do not need to be removed, they are broken down and absorbed by natural chemical processes within the host.

When soil reaches high temperatures, pupating larvae die, and ash produced during burning causes microclimate changes.