Hippobosca spp.
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Introduction
- Also known as
Forest flies
- Only parasitises horses and cattle
- Only found in the Old World
- Large numbers found around the perineum and inner thighs
Recognition
- 1cm long
- Reddish brown
- Yellow spots on thorax and abdomen
- Clear wings
- Reduced wings with veins crowded towards anterior margins
- Not a strong flier
- Forward pointing proboscis which can be retracted into head when not feeding
- Both males and females suck blood
Life cycle
- Adults are on the wing between May and October
- Adults mate on the host
- Single larvae laid in soil or damp humus
- Adult flies emerge the following spring
Pathogenesis
- Irritation and annoyance from bites
- Mechanical vectors of non-pathogenic Trypanosoma theileri in cattle
Control
- Topical insecticide application
- Repellents with residual action