Haematobia irritans

Haematobia irritans - Scott Bauer Wikimedia Commons

Introduction

Also known as:

Horn fly

• Resident biting fly
  • Spends most of its time on the host along the back, shoulders and sides

• Mainly resides on cattle

• Feed on areas where the skin is thin e.g. dewlap, belly and udder

• Common in southern England, the USA, Europe and Australia

Recognition

• Similar to the stable fly

• Smaller at 4-7mm long

Life cycle

• Eggs laid in fresh cattle dung

• Larvae burrow into dung and pupate

• Life cycle takes 1 week

Pathogenesis

• Production losses
  • Annoyance
  • Bites can lead to secondary infection by myiasis producing flies and other muscid species

• Disease transmission
  • Pathogenic bacteria and viruses via mechanical transmission
  • Helminths can be introduced into the host
    • E.g. Stephanofiliaria a filarial nemadode found in the skin of cattle overseas

Control

• Resident fly so easier to control than visiting flies as spends more time in contact with the host

• However, insecticide resistance can occur quicker