INSECTS INJURIOUS TO DOMESTIC ANIMALS, ETC. 661 



Control is difficult, but partial control at least is not impossible. 

 Since the great majority of the flies mature in carcasses of dead 

 animals the proper disposal of these is of greatest importance. 

 Burning is the approved method. If this can not be done they 

 should be buried. If they can be covered with lime before the soil 

 is thrown on them it will give better results. Elimination of 

 points of infestation by prevention of wounds, destruction of ticks, 

 since the tick wounds are points of entrance into the animals, and 

 the arrangement of the calving season so that the calves will be 

 produced when the flies are not present, will lessen the losses. 



Treatment of wounds already infested involves the use of 

 chloroform to kill the maggots and the use of a good repellent 

 substance on the wounds to keep away flies. Pine tar is recom- 

 mended as a satisfactory repellent. 



Maggots from several other species of flies sometimes are found 

 in wounds but they exhibit a preference for wounds showing 

 infection and having some morbid flesh in them. Most any of the 

 meat-infesting maggots may be found in such wounds. A species 

 of particular importance is the Black Blowfly (Phormia regina 

 Meig.), which oviposits in soiled wool of sheep. The larvae feed 

 in the soiled wool and later, after the skin becomes irritated and 

 sore, enter the flesh. Sanitary measures and the control measures 

 advocated for the screw-worm will be effective for this fly. 



The Horse Bots * 



Horse bots are of three kinds, one of which is of rather restricted 

 range. The common horse bot (Gastrophilus intestinalis DeGeer) 

 is most abundant over the entire country. The Chin fly or throat- 

 bot (G. nasalis), is also rather common and widely distributed. 

 The third species, the nose-fly (G. h&morrhoidalis) , is found only 

 in the North Central states and those to the west of that group. 



Bot flies vary a little in size and general appearance, but all 

 resemble bees to some extent. The common bot-fly is seen in kte 

 summer laying its eggs on the horses. It looks like a bee with a 

 long slender abdomen which is doubled forward beneath the rest 

 of the body and between the fore legs. The throat-bot is smaller 

 and more hairy but otherwise similar. 



* Family Oestridce. See W. E. Dove, Bulletin 597, U. S. Dept. of Agr. 



