358 



AN ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. 



terrible pest. On such occasions it lays its eggs on man or 

 animals wherever there is the slightest trace of a wound, bruise, 

 or offensive discharge of any kind. The larvae bore directly into 

 the living flesh, causing intense pain as well as suppurating sores. 

 Living larvae are produced as well as eggs almost ready to hatch, 

 and into any opening from which there is a discharge of any 

 kind eggs may be deposited. Sleeping humans with an offen- 

 sive breath, or with a fetid discharge from the nostrils or mouth, 

 have had eggs laid at these points, and larvae have made their way 

 into the head, in some cases causing the death of the individual. 

 Eggs have also been laid in the ears of uncleanly people, and the 

 channels and passages of this organ have been penetrated into the 

 head and destroyed. Animals are troubled in the same way, and 

 where the insects are abundant, their attacks often become fatal. 

 The only remedy is cleanliness. Wounds, even of the most 

 trifling nature, on cattle should be smeared with an antiseptic 

 ointment. As far as possible, all materials in which the flies can 

 breed should be destroyed ; no accumulation of animal refuse 

 should be allowed under any circumstances, and by strictest at- 

 tention to surroundings, the breeding of the insects should be 

 prevented. Attacking Hve animals is not a usual habit, although 

 very readily assumed when the insects become abundant. 



Another insect, a trifle larger than the house-fly and much 

 like it in appearance, though a little more robust, is the ordinary 

 stable-fly, Stomoxys calcitrajis. This has the mouth parts formed 

 for piercing, and annoys animals by alighting upon and sucking 

 the blood of parts that cannot be reached by them with head or 

 tail. Sometimes these insects also attack man, especially late in 

 the season or in heavy weather. They have an especial fondness 

 for human shanks, and readily bite through stockings ; sometimes 

 through trousers as well. This bite is painful, though it rarely 

 leaves a swelling or perceptible inflammation. The larvae develop 

 in horse and cow manure, and their increase in stables can, there- 

 fore, be checked to some extent by promptly removing and 

 placing this in pits, or mixing with plaster or other material that 

 will absorb the moisture and fix the ammonia. 



A close ally of the stable-fly is the so-called horn-fly," 

 Hcsmatobia serrata, a recent introduction into the United States, 

 which has spread over the country with almost phenomenal 



