The face fly closely resembles the house fly. Adult face flies cluster on the faces of cattle, feeding on nasal mucous, tears and saliva, which causes great annoyance to the animals. This may result in decreased feeding and lowered milk production.
Face flies transmit the organism responsible for pink eye.
The face fly invaded B.C. in 1967 and is now widely spread over the southern part of the province. Maggots develop in cow manure and pupate in adjacent soil. Adults congregate in large numbers on sunny places such as the sides of buildings, fences and gates. A parasitic worm is known to infect adult flies, destroying the eggs of the female. All Rights Reserved.