INSECT PESTS 325 



It took scientific men a long time to convince stock- 

 men that this is the way the huge warble grub finds its 

 way under the hide of a steer or cow, and there are those 

 who yet doubt it and believe that the grubs are deposited 

 directly in the animal's back by a large horse fly, almost 

 an inch long, that is found all over the country, and 

 which has a bite like a pair of red-hot pincers. But the 

 scientists did not make the statement until they had care- 

 fully investigated and studied the subject, and felt very 

 sure of their deductions. The tiny hole made by the 

 warble grub is estimated to cost stockmen millions of 

 dollars every year through the injury to hides resulting 

 from the holes, and apparently there is no practical way 

 to prevent the loss, so far as range stock is concerned. 



Western stockmen believe very generally that many a 

 sore-backed horse obtained the start for its trouble 

 through a warble in its back,, which grew there while 

 the animal was not being used, and then when saddled 

 up it quickly developed into a bad sore. The scientists 

 believe, however, that the heel fly develops the warble 

 only on cattle and not on horses. 



In the high mountains of the West, "deer" or "green 

 head" flies make life miserable for all four-footed animals 

 for a few weeks in the hot weather each year. Fortu- 

 nately they thrive only in dry weather and with the first 

 rains are gone. June is generally the worst month for 

 them, and during that time all grazing animals, both wild 

 and domestic, lose flesh rapidly because they cannot feed 

 or rest, utilizing nearly all their energy fighting flies 

 from daylight until dark. Saddle animals or milk stock 

 can be protected by any of the fish oils rubbed or sprayed 

 over them. 



Take a piece of bacon rind in the morning as you 



