American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-03-18
The Stable Fly.

The stable Fly liz n OF the most
widely distributed OF insects. It ap-
pears to ocur commonly in all ports of
the world inhabited by man, and the
larger domestic animals. In those
parts Of the tropical, and s%ubtropical,
and temperate regions In which do
nestle animals are reared, especially
where these animals are kept In con-
siderable numbers, the fly Is a pest
of Importance.
The absence of severe cold in win
ter, and the moist warm condition pre-
vailing In many of the countries Dor
dering on the tropics allow almost
continual breeding; hence In these re-
gions the fly Is Of importance through
out the entire year.
1t appears that the fly is of much
more Importance as a pest In the
grain belt than elsewhere. Some
years the stable fly becomes numer
Gus enough to cause serious loss. Dur
ing he late summer of 1912 there we're
severe outbreaks OF the stable fly I'm
Texas, practically all warm blooded
ihhh a hiNiNhtu ny lne lnSecI.
Mules In general seem to be more an
noyed by the fly than any other do
nestle livestock. The stable fly has
been definitely proven to carry anly a
few diseases. Aside from it's impor-
lance as q disease conveyer this in
acct Is of nSIch importance on aocount
of worry produced by its bites. During
periods of great abundance all live
stock are compelled to keep up a con
slant fight against the flies from early
morning until dark. The loss of blood
during severe outbreaks Is n very i'm
portant consideration. when fully en-
larged the abdomen of the fly is great
ly extended, and IL has been found
that the food extracted at one feeding
Is soon digested and the fly is ready
FOR another meal. Tho total loss In
1912 due to tho outbreak is difficult
to estimate. II is believed that In
northern Texas more than 800 head of
cattle, mules and horses were killed
directly or indirectly as the result of
the fly attack. This actual death may
be conservatively estimated at Sis, 900.
The loss due to the reduction In the
milk supply may be reasonably placed
$4,000, The eggs OF this fly are
longvoid and of n creamy white color,
they are about one twenty-fifth of an
Inch long, and under n magnifying
glas show n distinct furrow along one
side. When placed on any moist sub
they hatch In from one to three
lays after being deposited. When first
Matched the larva or maggots are about
Dne Twelfth of an inch In length, and
,annot easily be seen by the naked
,ye. This insect is closely related to
he house fly, as can be readily seen
)y It's close resemblance to that in
'ect. II may be distinguished from
he housefly however. by the long
sharp. biting mouse parts. a portion
which may be seen projecting for
ward from beneath the head. The pro-
of the house fly is short and
broad and not capable of piercing. The
stable fly ia slightly stouter than the
louse fly. And the spots on the ad-
iomen also aid in distinguishing 1t
rom that species.
Their breeding places are found In
manure, hay, dead grass. and straw.
They breed In much greater album
lance In oat straw than In wheat
straw. With the stable fly the natur-
point Of attack is found In the I'M
stages, and there Is every rea-
ION TO believe that by properly care
ne for substances In which II breeds
he insect may be kept we'll under con-
rol. All live stock Shouts DO pro-
as much as possible from these
pests. Many mixtures particularly of
oily nature have some value as re-
p%ellants.
A mixture OF fish oil Il gall, oil OF
pine tar e o%unces). oil OF ~penneyroyal
e ~ounces). and kerosene (one-half
pinto was found to beverly effective In
the flies off live stock when
lightly but thoroughly to the
OF the animal not covered
with blanket or nets. Work animals
may be largely protected by meant Of
coverings. A very effective and mex
M being made Of a double
thickness OF burlap. 1t is impossible
% successfully capture adult flies by
means OF the traps ordinarily used for