Stomoxys calcitrans

Introduction

Stomoxys calcitrans - Wikimedia Commons

Also known as:

Stable fly

• 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