Cattle Flies Flashcards
What family do cattle flies belong in?
Oestridae
What is the common name for the hypoderma spp of flies and what two species infest cattle?
Common name- Warble flies
2 species- hypoderma bovis and hypoderma lineatum
What is the appearance of the warble fly and when are they most active?
Appearance- bee-like
Active June- Sep in UK on warm days >18
How can hypoderma bovis and lineatum eggs be distinguished?
Hypoderma bovis lays eggs individually lineatum lay several in a row
Describe the life cycle of the hypoderma species
Eggs laid usually on legs
Hatch and migrate through connective tissue
H.Bovis toward epidural fat along spinal canal
H.Lineatum toward submucosa of oesophagus
Moult to L2 at the sites and migrate to dorsal connective tissue (jan/feb)
Moult to L3 grow and become ‘warble’
Emerge through skin drop to ground pupate to adult fly
When do the two species of hypoderma when do they emerge?
H.Lineatum March/May
H.Bovis May/June
What problems do warble flies cause?
Gadding cows
Perforation of hide- breathing holes
Butchers jelly
How can warble flies be diagnosed treated and controlled?
Warbles are readily palpated- ELISA available
Ectoparasiticides- inject Ivermectin
Control- was notifiable, eradication programme, ELISA monitors prevalence
What biting muscidae pester cattle?
Stomoxys calcitrans- stable fly
Iyperodia irritans- horn fly
Glossina spp
Trypanosoma spp
Which non biting muscidae pester cattle?
Hydrotea irritans
Musca autumnalis
Musca domestica
What are the resting sites, feeding sites, host responses, feeding frequency and potential transmission of pathogens of stomoxy calcitrans (stable fly)?
Resting sites- fence posts Feeding sites- enclosed environment (stables) Host response- gadding Feeding frequency- frequent feeders Vector transmission- west nile Breed in dung mixed with straw and urine
What problems do stomoxys calcitrans cause in cattle?
Loss of blood
Loss of weight gain
Milk production drops 40%
Nuisance
Describe the appearance of lyperosia irritans (horn fly) and is it non-biting or biting?
Small fly with biting proboscis
Found on back of only cows
Biting
Where are lyperosia irritans found, where do they lay eggs and what disease can they cause?
Found on pasture
Lay eggs in fresh dung
Can cause anaemia
What is the common name for glossina spp and describe the appearance of the fly?
Tsetse fly Both sexes require large frequent blood meals Yellow/dark brown 6-14mm Wings held like scissor blades
How does the tsetse fly produce young?
One egg produced at a time ‘inside mum’
Larva nourished by fluids from milk glands
Female repeatedly feeds on blood for larvae support
Full grown larva deposited on soil just prior to pupation
What diseases does glossina spp cause?
Transmits T.congolense and other trypanosomes
Nagana in cattle
African sleeping sickness in humans
What does trypanosomes cause?
Lymphoid enlargement/splenomegaly
Anaemia- a major feature
Lethargy, fever
Chronic and fatal if untreated
How is tsetse fly being controlled in sub-shara Africa?
Aerial spraying Stetile insect technique Fly traps Trypanocidal drug treatment Breeding trypanotolerant livestock
What trypanosomes are transmitted in the UK and by what species of fly?
Trypanosome theileri is transmitted to cattle by tabanids
How can hyrotaea irritans (head fly) be distinguished?
Orange wing base greenish abdomen
What problems do hydrotaea irritans cause, where do they deposit eggs and how many generations are there a year?
Problems- Pests, Cause summer mastitis- mechanical transmission from several bacteria
Deposit eggs on pasture soil- one generation
Whats the common name of musca autumnalis?
The face fly
Describe the appearance of the face fly
Brown grey, housefly-like
Spongy proboscis
What disease does musca autmumnalis cause?
Pink eye- infectious bovine keratoconjunctivits due to mortadella bovis
How are flies controlled in the UK?
Use of synthetic pyrethroids on cattle- sprays, pour ons, ear tags
Treat at turn out
Treat surfaces
Barrier- tape on teats
Good husbandry, dung removal delays/reduces build up stomoxys
What is Mallophaga and Anoplura?
Mallophaga- contains biting/chewing lice
Anoplura- contain the sucking lice
What family of lice are not found on birds
Anoplura
How long does a lice egg to adult cycle take?
3-4 weeks
What are the 4 lice of cattle and where are they found?
Haematopinus eurysternus- poll, horn base, eyes nostrils
Linognathus vituli- head, neck, dewlap
Solenopotes- head, neck, dewlap
Bovicula/damalinia- forehead, shoulders, back and rump
Which cattle lice are sucking and biting?
Sucking- haematopinus, linognathus, solenoptes
Biting- Bovicula
What reasons are cattle particularly affected?
Temperate regions, housed cattle with thick coats
What do heavy lice infestations cause?
Intense irritation, rubbing, hair loss, hide damage, anaemia, weakness
How are cattle lice controlled?
Synthetic pyrethroids pour ons effective against both lice
ML- avermectin/milbemycin pour-ons
Second treatment may be needed 3-4 weeks later
Never under dose
Treat all cattle- or isolate
