230 



SANITARY ENT0:M0L0GY 



Stable Flies 



Stomoxys is a genus found principally in Asia and Africa, although 

 S. calcitrans Linnaeus, the well-known biting stable fly, is almost world- 

 wide in its distribution (tigs. 44'-4'6, plate XVI). This species is capable 

 of carrying rodent plague, anthrax, septicaemia, nagana, souma, dourine, 

 surra, baleri, and Gambian sleeping sickness, and has been connected by 

 Scott with the transmission of equine infectious anemia and seriously 

 suspected as a possible carrier of poliomyelitis and pellagra. 



A very complete bulletin by Bishopp is available for free distribution, 

 describing the life history and control of the stable fly, so that it is not 



Fig. 44 (left). — Eggs of the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) attached to a straw. 



Greatly enlarged. (After Bishopp.) 

 Fig. 45 (center). — The stable fly: Larva or maggot. Greatly enlarged. (After 



Bishopp.) 

 Fig. 46 (right). — The stable fly: Adult female, side view, engorged with blood. Greatly 

 enlarged. (After Bishopp.) From U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bull. 540, figs. 

 1, 2, 5. 



necessary to give a full discussion in this lecture. It generally breeds in 

 moist straw and haj'. Stacked straw which has been wet and partly 

 rotted and hence is no longer available for stock food is a very favorable 

 place for the fly to breed. Such straw should be dried as soon as possible 

 by scattering, and then either be burned or plowed under. The stable 

 fly does not often develop in manure, but where it does it may be con- 

 trolled by measures taken against the house fly. This species is very 

 anno^'ing to mules, horses, and cattle and often to man. Horses and mules 

 often become frantic in their efforts to escape the flies. 



As much care should be taken to prevent the breeding of the stable 

 fly as the house fl}'. Thej^ are carriers of entirely diff'erent series of 

 diseases and both are dangerous. Especial care must be observed to 



