Stomoxys calcitrans
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Also known as
Stable fly
Introduction
- Visiting biting fly
- Feeds on the host
- Spends most of its time off the host e.g. In flight or resting on buildings, foliage and fences
- Attacks most animals
- Found worldwide
Recognition
- Similar to Musca domestica
- 5-7mm long
- Forward-pointing proboscis (biting)
- Both males and females suck blood
- Grey thorax and abdomen
- Longitudinal grey stripes on thorax
- Large black spots on abdomen
- Clear wings
Life cycle
- Eggs laid on rotting hay and straw
- Larvae feed on vegetable matter
- Life cycle takes 1 month
- Adult flies survive for 1 month
Pathogenesis
- Production losses
- Reduced weight gain
- Milk yield losses
- Up to 20% in cattle affected by fly worry
- Vectors for the retrovirus Equine infectious anaemia
- Mechanical vectors for protozoa e.g. trypanosomes in warmer countries
- Intermediate hosts of the nematode Habronema