nnn ene ss ee” ~— 
DIPTERA. 121 
A plan which has been going the rounds of the agricultural papers 
is to arrange a trap in the doorway to a stable, the cattle, after passing 
the doorway, going through a set of brushes which dislodge the flies, 
which, with a properly arranged window above the door, collect at the 
light, and are here trapped and die. 
A recent number of the Denver Field and Farm mentions a similar 
device being patented. It is intended for the capture of all flies gath- 
ering upon cattle, but would be especially useful for this species. The 
principle has been used so generally that there may be doubt as to its 
being patentable. (See chapter on remedies.) 
For the destruction of the larve, which is probably the more effective 
way of preventing damage, two principles have been established. The 
first involves the killing of the maggots by introduction of some 
destructive agent; the other, the prevention of their maturity by the 
rapid drying of the mass of dung which supplies their food. The use 
of lime, as originally suggested in Insect Life, is a very effective plan, 
and where not prohibited by expense should be generally adopted. 
Professor Smith’s suggestion to spread out the droppings of manure 
so that they may dry rapidly is applicable during dry weather and in 
some localities is accomplished by drawing brush across the fields, a 
method which must necessarily fail to be complete in its operation, but 
much less expensive than the use of a shovel by hand. 
THE FLESH FLY. 
(Sarcophaga carnaria Linn.) 
While this species is perhaps better known as a household pest 
attacking fresh meat, the fact that it often deposits its eggs in the 
wounds of living animals makes it an important pest of domestic 
animals. 
It has been a familiar insect probably ever since man began to 
appreciate the insect foes to his com- 
fort, and has been a common subject of 
treatment in writings upon insects from 
a very early date. 
It was technically described by Lin- 
neus in 1761, and its habits were already 
doubtless well known. 
Its life history is easily told, and to 
some extent probably familiar to every- 
one who has had to do with the handling 
of fresh meats. Fig. 62.—Flesh fly, Sarcophaga carnaria 
Living larvze are deposited by the Sop OF teas het ore 
females upon any available bit of fresh meat, including wounds of 
animals, and these feed and develop with astonishing rapidity, soon 
consuming large quantities of flesh and, upon attaining their growth, 
crawl away, secrete themselves in the first convenient shelter, remain a 
few days in the pupa stage and issue as adults. 
