504 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



debris collecting in and under outdoor feed troughs, and the remains 

 of straw stacks are favorable breeding places for the stable fly. 

 Under the most favorable conditions about three weeks are required 

 for development from the egg to the adult stage. 



The proper care of straw and the proper disposal of stable manure 

 are very necessary in the control of stable flies. Straw stacks should 

 be carefully built so as to shed rain, and loose straw or chaflF should be 

 scattered or burned. Straw not required for winter feed should be 

 promptly disposed of by bm-ning or scattering and plowing it under. 

 Stable manure should be hauled out and scattered at regular intervals, 

 preferably every three days, and the vicinity of stables should be 

 kept free from accumulations of straw and hay that may become 



wet and serve as breeding 

 places for the stable fly. 



THE HORNFLY (LYPEROSIA IRRI- 



TANS).' 



This fly, now found 

 nearly everywhere in the 

 United States, was intro- 

 duced into this country 

 from Europe about the 

 year 1885. Homflies have 

 the habit of clustering 

 about the base of the horn 

 (fig. 2) , whence the name by 

 which they are popularly 

 known. They do not dam- 

 age the horn, and congre- 

 gate there only to rest. 



In view of the general 

 practice of dehorning cat- 

 tle, the name hornfly is less 

 hornflies rest on other parts 



-Hornliy (Lyperosia irritais) in resting position, 

 larged. (From Bureau of i?ntomology.) 



distinctive than it once was. Moreover, 

 of the body as well as the horns. 



When resting, their wings are held down close to the body (fig. 1) ; 

 when feeding, their wings are held out nearly at right angles, ready 

 for flight. They puncture the skin and suck blood, usually attacking 

 the upper parts of the body, particularly those which are out of reach 

 of the animal's head or tail. Unlike most flies, they remain on the 

 animal more or less constantly, day and night. Owing probably to 

 the irritation and annoyance caused by these flies, cattle often do not 

 thi-ive as they should during seasons when the flies are numerous. 

 The hornfly has also been charged with transmitting diseases, such as 

 anthrax. 



For further information consult Circular 115 of the Bureau of Entomology. 



