Cattle flies

Question 1

What fly in cattle looks like a bumble bee? What family is this in?

Answer 1

Hypoderma spp (AKA Warble Flies)
Oestridae

Question 2

When is the hypoderma (bumble bee like) fly active?How long is their lifecycle?

Answer 2

Warm days - Summer

One year

Question 3

What are the 2 species of Hypoderma that affect cows?

Answer 3

Hypoderma bovis

Hypoderma lineatum

Question 4

Where do Hypoderma lineatum emerge from and when?

Answer 4

Lesions

March-May

Question 5

Wheredo Hypoederma bevis emerge from? when?

Answer 5

Eggs emerge to larvae on pasture in May-June

Flies emerge 6 wks later

Question 6

What is the importance of Hypoderma flies spp?

Answer 6

Perforate hide - breathing holes, decreases value

Possible anaphylactic shock

Question 7

How can Hypoderma flies be diagnosed in cattle?

Answer 7

Warbles easily palpated

ELISA of larvae

Question 8

What can be given to treat Hypoderma infestation in cows?

Answer 8

Injectable ivermectin

Question 9

What is the most common species of biting fly in cattle? What family is this in?

Answer 9

Stomoxys calcitrans (Stablefly)
Muscidae

Question 10

Where do Stomoxys calcitrans lay their eggs?

Answer 10

Dung mixed with straw and urine

Question 11

When do Stomoxys calcitrans build up? What do they cause?

Answer 11

Summer

Loss of blood, loss of weight and milk production

Question 12

What are Stomoxys Calcitrans the vectors of?

Answer 12

Many - African swine fever, West Nile, anthrax, bovine viral diarrhoea

Question 13

What is a distinguishing feature of Stomoxys calcitrans?

Answer 13

Long proboscis

Question 14

What is the horn fly known as? Which species is it found in and where on the species?

Answer 14

Lyperosia irritans
Cows only
Back

Question 15

When are Lyperosia irritans in highest numbers? Do they have one generation or several?

Answer 15

Summer

Several

Question 16

Where do Lyperosia irritans mate and lay eggs?

Answer 16

Pasture

Fresh dung

Question 17

Which fly is only found in Africa, with both sexes requiring large blood meals?

Answer 17

Tsetse fly - Glossina spp

Question 18

What are the distinguishing features of Glossina spp (Tsetse fly)

Answer 18

Scissor blade wings

Ugly eyes, proboscis, look nasty

Question 19

What is interesting about the egg production and hatching of Glossina spp (Tsetse fly)?

Answer 19

Lay one egg at at time

Hatches internally

Question 20

How do Glossina spp nourish their larvae?

Answer 20

Produce milk from milk glands

Female feeds on blood to produce milk

Question 21

What happens to larvae of Glossina spp prior to pupation?

Answer 21

Deposited onto soil

Question 22

What diseases do Glossina spp transmit?

Answer 22

Trypanasomes

Question 23

What are the symptoms of Glossina spp?

Answer 23

Anaemia
Lethargy
Fatal if untreated

Question 24

How are Glossina flies controlled?

Answer 24

Traps, targets, ectoparasiticides

Vector control by spraying and sterile insect technique

Question 25

What is the sterile insect technique?

Answer 25

Releasing sterile males into population
Compete with other males to mate with femlaes
Females don’t produce offspring if mate with sterile male = decreased population

Question 26

What pathogen is transmitted by tabanids in the UK? Is this pathogenic?

Answer 26

Trypanosoma theileri

Non-pathogenic

Question 27

What are the distinguishing features of Lyperosia irritans (horn fly)?

Answer 27

Small with short biting proboscis

Question 28

What non-biting muscidae are found in cattle?

Answer 28

Hydrotea irritans (head fly)
Musca autumnalis (face fly)
Musca domestica (house fly)

Question 29

What is August bag? What are the symptoms?

Answer 29

Summer mastitis
Caused by multiple pathogens
Swollen teats, pain, broken head in horned sheep breeds (rubbing head causes wounds)

Question 30

What is used for fly control in cattle?

Answer 30

Synthetic pyrethroids - permethrin, cypermethrin
Treat stables, walls, fences
Barrier with tape on teats or Stockholm tar