Fly Infestations of Cattle in the United States

Abstract

Several species of the order Diptera (flies) impact the performance of cattle in the United States. The most important of these is the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.) followed by the face fly, Musca autumnalis De Geer and the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans (L.). Less important because of their restricted infestation area are several species of black flies (Simuliidae species), biting gnats (Culicoides), deer flies (Tabanidae) and horse flies, mosquitoes and two species of heel flies (cattle grubs). All of these species except the face fly and the heel flies are blood feeders. Several species can transmit disease to cattle.