BLOOD-SUCKING OSCINIS 325 



Control. As recommended for the house-fly, stable manure, 

 particularly that in which there is much straw, should be removed 

 as often as possible, at least once a week. Wet straw should not 

 be allowed to accumulate. Working animals should be protected 

 by nets or other covers. Stables darkened, but allowing ventila- 

 tion, afford protection. Thorough screening of all windows and 

 doors is advisable. 



The Blood-sucking Oscinis. This is a very small, polished 

 black fly (Oscinis pallipes Loew.) (Fig. 329) with yellow face and 

 legs. It is hardly more than one-eighth of an inch from tip to 

 tip of its spread wings. 



Little is known of the life history. It is very probable that the 



FIQ. 329. The blood-sucking Oscinis. Greatly enlarged. (Lugger.) 



larvae and the life history resemble those of other members of its 

 family, Oscinidce. The others are strictly vegetable feeders in 

 both larva and adult stages. (See, in this connection, Oscinis 

 soror, under wheat pests.) 



Injury. During the summer this fly is exceedingly abundant 

 in some localities, attacking horses, cattle, dogs, etc. Its move- 

 ments are rapid; it is most persistent hi its attack and difficult 

 to drive away. It seeks places on animals where protection is 

 afforded by hairs, and its attacks soon cause a great flow of blood. 

 When engorged with food, it drops to the ground and is unable to 

 fly; then other flies, attracted by the flowing blood, add to the 

 animal's previous injury. This soon results in large sores, and 

 animals become frantic as the result of repeated attacks. 



