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→''Hydrotaea irritans''
*Also known as the 'head fly'
*Also known as the 'head fly'
*''Hydrotaea irritans'' the main species of veterinary importance
*Mainly a problem of sheep
**In some areas is the most numerous fly of cattle and horses
'''Recognition'''
*Similar to ''Musca'' spp.
*Olive green abdomen
'''Life Cycle'''
*Eggs laid in decaying vegetation, faeces and in carrion (in the summer months)
*Emerging larvae overwinter and pupate in spring
*Adult flies emerge in the summer
*One generation per year
'''Pathogenesis'''
*Cattle:
**Head flies may transmit summer mastitis
*Sheep:
**Extreme irritation
***Mouthparts rasp the skin to feed on secretions and exudate
**Self-inflicted damage
***E.g. 'Broken Head'
**Secondary bacterial infection may occur
**Blowfly strike may follow