Eighth Report of the State Entomologist. 193- 



The newcomer is the cow-liorn fly, Hmmatohia serrata R, Desv. Its- 

 introduction into your county is quite recent, and it was doubtless- 

 brought by one of your raih-oads — probably the R., W. & O., which' 

 traverses the northern part of your county, as it was reported to me 

 under date of August 25th from a farm at Demster, through which the? 

 above-named railroad passes. 



The fly is armed with a long, stout, sharp proboscis which it thrusts 

 into the skin of the cattle where it is the thinnest and sucks the blood. 

 In general appearance it resembles the common house-fly, but it is smaller 

 and more closely allied to the biting fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, which 

 appears in autumn and attacks animals and men, often entering our 

 houses and inflicting a sharp, stinging bite through the stocking or 

 elsewhere on the leg. 



It was imported from France a few years ago, and was first noticed, 

 in Pennsylvania, in 1886. For the past two years it has been abundant 

 and troublesome in New Jersey. It occurs also in Delaware, Maryland, 

 Virginia, and Ohio. In the early spring of this year it had extended 

 into one of the southeastern counties of New York bordering on New 

 Jersey. 



Looking for its gradual spread through our State, I was greatly sur- 

 prised to hear that it was present in large numbers in Oswego county. 

 Although the account given me of its operations evidently pointed out 

 the insect, yet I felt some doubt until, at my request, examples of the 

 fly were sent to me. 



Replying to a letter from Miss Drake, of Demster, who first informed 

 me of the presence of the fly on their farm, I stated that if it was, as I 

 supposed, the horn fly, it could be recognized by its congregating in 

 large numbers upon the base of the horns. Answer was returned: 

 "They annoy the cows by getting on their horns and between them,, 

 but can not say that they prefer those places, as sometimes it appears 

 that they literally cover the entire body, especially on the back and 

 shoulders. Our neighbors are all ti'oubled with them, and all the cows 

 are shrinking of their milk." 



In a letter received this morning, I have intimation of the occurrence- 

 of the fly in Oneida county, and that it had made its appearance there- 

 a year ago. 



It seems strange that interested parties will not at once send notice- 

 to the State entomologist of the appearance of any new insect pest, 

 for if commenced in time, means may often be taken to prevent, the- 

 spread, or rapid multiplication, of newly introduced insect pests.. 

 25 



