Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-x5cpj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-31T23:18:19.290Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The distribution of five species of flies (Diptera: Muscidae) over the bodies of dairy heifers in England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

J. E. Hillerton
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9AT, UK
A. J. Bramley
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9AT, UK
D. M. Broom
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 2AJ, UK

Abstract

Five species of Muscidae were found to be commonly associated with dairy heifers in three areas in southern England. The biting flies Haematobosca stimulans (Mg.) and Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) were relatively rare and fed from the back, flanks and legs. The horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.), was present in highest numbers; it rested on the back and fed on the legs, belly and occasionally on the teats. Musca autumnalis Deg. was found mainly on the head and had a restricted season. Hydrotaea irritans (Fall.) had a marked diurnal variation in activity, being most abundant in the morning and evening. It was found on the head but predominantly on the belly and teats. When judged by its site preference on cattle, it is the fly most likely to be involved in the transmission of summer mastitis.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Brown, J. F. & Adkins, T. R. Jr, (1972). Relationship of feeding activity of face fly (Musca autumnalis DeGeer) to production of keratoconjunctivitis in calves.—Am. J. vet. Res. 33, 25512555.Google ScholarPubMed
Hillerton, J. E., Bramley, A. J. & Broom, D. M. (1983). Hydrotaea irritans and summer mastitis in calves.—Vet. Rec. 113, 88.Google Scholar
Palmer, W. A. & Bay, D. E. (1981). A review of the economic importance of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans irritans (L.).—Protection Ecology 3. 237244.Google Scholar
Parsons, A. J. (1977). Biting muscid flies.—Vet. Rec. 100, 341342.Google Scholar
Sorensen, G. H. (1974). Studies on the aetiology and transmission of summer mastitis.—Nord. VetMed. 26, 122132.Google Scholar
Tarry, D. W. (1979). Headflies and disease.—St. vet. J. 34, 250254.Google Scholar
Tarry, D. W., Wilson, C. D. & Stuart, P. (1978). The headfly Hydrotaea irritans and summer mastitis infection.—Vet. Rec. 102, 91.Google Scholar
Titchener, R. N., Newbold, J. W. & Wright, C. L. (1981). Flies associated with cattle in south west Scotland during the summer months.—Res. vet. Sci. 30, 109113.Google Scholar