Haseman, Leonard, 1884-1969

University of Missouri: MOspace

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 254 CONTROLLING HORN AND ST ABLE FLIES COLUMBIA, MISSOURI July, 1927 UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Experiment Station EXECUTIVE BOARD OF CURATORS.-F. M. McDAVID, Springfield: MERCER ARNOLD, joplin; H. j. BLANTON, Paris. ADVISORY COUNCIL.-THE MISSOURI STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE STATION STAFF, JULY, L927 STRATTON DULUTH BROOKS, A. M., LL. D., President F. B. MUMFORD, M. S., D. Agr., Director S. B. SHIRKY, A. M., Asst. to Director MISS ELLA PAHMEIER, Secretary AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY A. G. HOGAN, Ph. D. L. D. HAIGH, Ph. D, W. S, RITCHIE, Ph. D. A. R. HALL. B. S in Agr. j. E HUNTER, A. M. C. L. SHREWSBURY, A. B. E. W. COWAN. A M. ROBERT BOUCHER, A. B. AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS O. R. JOHNSON, A. M. S. D. GRO>lER, A M. BEN H. FRAME, A. M. F. L. THOMSEN, Ph. D. G. B. THORNE, B. S. in Agr. AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING J. C. WOOLEY, B, S. MAc!: M. JONES, B. S.t R. R. PARES, B. S. in Agr. EnB:. HA .... Y MILLER, B. S, in Agr. Eng. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY E. A. TROWB .. ,DGE, B. S. 'n Agr. L. A. WEAVE1 .... B. S. in Agr. A. G. HOGAN, rho D. F. B. MU>lFO .. D, M. S. D. W. CHITTENDEN, A. M. F.'F. McKENZIE. Ph. D.-M. T. FOSTER, B. S. M. G. CLARE. M S. BOTANY AND PHYSIOLOGY W. J. ROBBINS, Ph. D. I. T. SCOTT, Ph. D. DAIRY HUSBANDRY A. C. RAGSDALE, B. S in Asr. WK. H. E. REID, A. M SAMUEL B .. ODY, A. M. C. W. TUENER, A. M.t C. W. WEBER. B. S. in Asr E. C. ELTING, M. S. W AE .. EN G,FFOJ.D. M. S. E. R. GAIlllS0N, B. S. in Agr. J. S. MATTHEWS, B S. in Asr. ENTOMOLOGY LEONA .. D HASE>lAN, Ph. D. K. C. SULLIVAN, A. M. t C. N. !JAVI., B , S. in Agr . • In •• rvice of U.S. Department of Agriculture. FIELD CROPS W. C. ETHEUDGE, Ph. D. C. A. HELM. A. M.t L. j. STADLEIl. Ph. D. R. T. KIR.ItPAT .. ,CE, B. S. in Agr. B. M. KING, A, M. B B. BRANSTETTER, A. M. M,ss CLARA FUHR. M. S .• HOME ECONOMICS M, •• MABEL CAMPBELL, A. M. M,SS JESSIE CLINE. A. M., A. B MISS BERTHA K.WHIPPLE, M. S. MISS MAJ.GARET C. HESSLER, A. M. MISS ZULU W,LLIAMS A. B. MISS E. CHARLOTTE ROGERS, A. M. HORTICULTURE T. J. TALBERT.A. M. H. D. HoouJ.. Ph. D. H. G. SWARTWOUT, A. M. J. T. QUINN. A. M. A. E. MURNEEIt, Ph. D. POUL TR Y HUSBANDR Y H. L. KEMPSTER, B. S. in Asr EARL W. HENDERSON, A. M. RURAL SOCIOLOGY E. L. MORGAN, A. M. HENJ.Y J. BURT. M. A. MISS GLADYS MUlLEN BERG A. B. SOILS M. F. MILLER, 1\1. S. A. H. H. KRUSEItOPF~A. M. W. A. ALBRECHT, rho D. RICHARD BRADFIELD.Ph.D. R. E. UHLAND, A. M. F. L. DAVtS. B. S. in Agr. VETERINARY SCIENCE J. W. CONNAWAY, D. V. M, M. D. O.S. CRISLER. D.V.M. A. J. DuRANT, A. ~'J D. V. M. H. G. NEWMAN. A. M. ANDREWUREN, D. V. M. OTHER OFFICERS R. B. PRICE. B. L., Treasurer LESLIE COWAN, B. S., Secretary A. A. JEFFREY, A. B., Agricultural Editor J. F. BARHAM, Photographer MXSSjANE FRODSHA.M, Librariiln E. E. B:a.OWN, Bu.ineu Manager tOn leave of absence. Controlling Horn and Stable Flies L. HASEMAN ABSTRACT . ..,.-This bulletin reports the results of experiments 111 attempted control of horn flies (Stormoxys calcitrans) and of stable .f1ies (Haematobia irrita.ns). Formulae are given for the killing and repellant sprays that were found most effective. Tests of a commercial fly salt are also reported,showing that feeding cows this salt had no effect in reducing the number of flies on them. Observations on the effect of color revealed the fact that about fifty per cent more horn flies were counted on dark-colored cows than on light-colored cows, but that there were slightly more stable flies feeding on the light-colored cow. than on the dark-colored cows. HOl'des of blood-sucking flies attack cattle and other livestock during the summer, No one has ever been able to estimate aCCll-rately the actual amount of damage the horn and stable flies do to dairy and beef cattle. However, it is evident that the enormous drain of blood which these flies make. besides the serious irritation from their bite, causes nmch damage to livestock. This is one of the most s'eriotts drains that the clairy and heef cattle industries in Missouri suffer. The fact that livestock men are ready to in-vest in any commercial product such as the so-called fly salts and fly sprays is evidence that they recognize the fly problem as a serious one. Besides proving a very severe drain 011 the animals, these blood-sucking flies may transmit certain diseases of livestock. This is especially true of the stable fly. In cases of unusual epi" demicsof flies their attacks may also actually result in the death of many animals. The farmer loses much, also, due to the fact that at times it is practically impossible to manage teams in the field or on the road. The total annual loss in this country from the attacks of these two blood-sucking flies doubtless amonntsto millions, and farmers will welcome definite means to check these losses~ The problem is all the more serious due to the fact that there is no simple effective defense against the horn fly and the stable fly. It is the purpose of this bulletin to discuss the breeding habits of these two flies and to give the best known measures for checking their . ravages. A number of simple home-made fly sprays which have been tested at this Station are included. Along with prac-4 MISSOURI AGRICULTCRAL EXPERIlIIENT STATlUN BULLETIN 254 tical sugg'estiol1S oii the'control of these two flies are- included the results of an investigation of a widely advertised fly s~lt. These results clearly indicate that such materials are useless as recom-mended for the control of blood-sucking flies.· DISTRIBUTION OF THESE FLIES .,.The stable and horn flies are. most abt1ndant and destructive in, the importa.nt livestock centers but they are widely'distributed throughout the world. In this country they 'are most important in the Mississippi Valley, in the Southern States and in the western range lands.· In all parts of Missouri livestock suffers sev~rely from these flies. LIFE CYCLE OF STABLE FLY The stable fly (known scienti fically as S tonnoxys calcitra ns) closely resembles the commOn house fly and has very similar breeding habits. It is often spoken of as the biting house fly. Ori hot, sultry days it often comes into the house and is very annoying with its stinging bite. Both male and fen1ale flies bite. The pest passes the winter in l\lissouri, largely if not entirely. as the lan;a and pupa, in straw and manure. The adult flies begin to attack livestock about the first 6f May but are seldom very abundant until June. They become most annoying during the summer and fall. It is generally supposed that the stable fly, like the house fly. selects horse stables and fresh horse manure for laying its eggs. Careht1 observations, however. show that decaying straw is "the maggot's favorite food material. Horse manure mixed with straw or" "similar bedding material is also commonly used, but hor~e manure alone is not used extensively. The female usually lays her eggs in small clusters down in the straw or loose manure~ Similar to other species of flies she usually lays several eggs arid then feeds for a time and later returns to the work of egg laying. The egg is a small oblong 'white object about one twenty-fifth of 'an inch long which can be readily seen without magnification andCIosely resembles the eggs of blow flies. The eggs require from one to two or three days to hatch, depending on the temperature. On hatching, the larvae are very small, · but feed readily and sOOn appear as fair-siz·ed maggots not greatly different from those CONTROLLING l-IORN AND STABLE FUES .> of the common blow flies. They usually become full feel in from 11 io 15 days, if food is abundant and the temperature is favorable. However, they may remain in the larval stage much longer under unfavorable conditions. When full fed they are about four-fifths of an inch in length and of a yellowish white color. When full fed, the larva changes to the puparium, which takes on a reddish brown color. The puparium is much shorter than the larva and is oval in outline. It remains in this condition during the summer for from six to t\venty or more days. Then the adult emerges and soon prepares to feed, mate and lay eggs. LIFE CYCLE OF HORN FLY The horn fly (H aClnatobia irritans) is primarily a pest of c<ittle and at times collects on their sides and backs in such numbers as to almost cover them. The bite, while not so severe as that of the stable ' fly, causesconsic1erable pain and in large numbers _Pl~X dra w much blood. The adult flies become abundant by early summer and increase in abundance as the summer advances. They remain active until cold weather in the fall. When it is cool in early spring or· in the fall the flies crawl under the hair to escape the cold. The heat fr0Hl the animal's body also helps to .keep them warm. The adult females lay their eggs on the surface of fresh co,\, manure soon after it is ch-opped. The ·eggs are light reddish bro~vt1 when first deposited. They usually hatch in one or two clays and the larvae enter the surface layer of the fresh cow manure. The larva is very similar to the maggot of other flies and after feeding from fout to six days it is full fed and about one-fourth inch long. Then it usually enters the ground beneath the c(n" manure and changes to a small, oval, dark brown object, the puparium, in which the insect passes the true resting or pupa stage. The insect remains in the brown case in the summer forfi ve to eight days when it emerges, in tl)e adult stage . . The insect may require from ten to sixteen or more days ' t() pass from the egg to the adult stage. There are thereforeil1any generations each summer, and this accounts for the greater abundance toward fall. METHODS OF CONTROL With pests of this sort it is usually possible to. attack them ill th~ir. geyeloping, stages a,nel in the aOl,lJt $tggec '; U nfortuTlately 6 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 254 these two species cannot be attacked \vith effective results in either of these stages. However, some relief can be had and it is the purpose of the writer to point out what can be done. In the first place, with the stable fly breeding largely in decay-ing stra~, manure and similar vegetation, the prompt spreading of all such material on the fields as fertilizer will greatly reduce the chances of heavy breeding of this species. With the horn fly breeding mostly in fresh cow manure in feedlots and pastures, it is not easy to check its breeding. However, something can be done by spreading out the piles of cow manure so they will quickly dry and prove unfavorable as food for the maggots. Anything that can be done to check increase will result in fewer flies to contend with later. In the adult stage the pests can be attacked with (1) killing sprays, (2) repellents, and (:3) traps. In case of show cattle and horses, blankets or fly nets are occasionally used. KILLING SPRAYS At milking time one can carefully use sprays for killing thL flies with fair success. These same sprays may be prepared so that they also serve as repellents later. . Some of the commercial fly sprays are quite good for this purpose but they are usually too expensive for general use especially when the farmer can prepare home mixtures which cost but little and which give the same results. The following simple home mixtures have been used at this Station with satisfactory results as fly killers and as repellents, though it should be kept in mind that the best repellent sprays are thoroughly effective as such for only a limited time. For a few hours the repellents may be very effective but later the more hungry flies will begin to gather and feed in spite of the odor. Home mixture·s and commercial preparations which have been tested at this Station are alike in this respect. None of theprepa-rations tested will prove effective for such periods as two to six or more days as some have claimed. They should be applied at least once a day and preferably nights and mornings. In all c.ases care must be taken to avoid too heavy application, as the hair or hide may be injured. Such sprays must be so used that they will not get into the milk. A small hand sprayer which throws a fine mist spray proves the best and simplest way to apply the sprayS:. CUNTROLLING HORN AND STABLE FLlE::; Coal Oil and Naphthalene Spray Coal oil, 2 gallons, Flaked naphthalene, 1 pound. Use this sparingly as very tine mist spray, night amI morning. Crude Oil, Coal Oil and Naphthalene Spray Coa.l oil, 1 gallon, Crude oil, 1 gallon, Flaked naphthalene, 1 pound. Use this in same way as the coal oil and naphthalene. The crude oil gives it more body. Crude Carbolic Acid or Creosote and Coal Oil Spray Coal oil, 2 gallons, Crude creosote or carbolic acid, 1 pint. Use this sparingly as very fine mist spray, night and morning. I f used too heavily, carbolic acid poisoning may result . Crank Case Oil and Naphthalene Spray Crank case oil, 2 gallons, Flaked naphthalene, 1 pound. This mixture is naturally very inexpensive but must be carefully used as it may contain some gasoline and, as with the other oil sprays, may injure the hide and hair if used too heavily. 7 Mixtures containing fish oil and pine tar are sometimes used. Both pine tar alld fish oil have been tested in fly sprays 9-t ~his 8ta .. tion, but they do not seem to have any more lasting repellent qualities than the coal tar by-product and they are le.ss easily secured by the farmer. Applying the Sprays These fly sprays all contain oil and the farmer should keep in mind that they should be applied sparingly. The animal should never be thoroughly wet with the sprays as injury may result ancI those containing carbolic acid may result in poisoning of the ani-mal if used carelessly. It takes but very little to treat an animal. For the horn flies, apply the spray over the back of the animal. For the stable flies be sure to treat the legs. In the case of milk 8 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 2;)-+ cows, if applied a short time before milking, the' animals will not be annoyed by flies during milking. In the case of beef animals it is usually not so convenient to treat them but where practicable to do so they should be treated in the morning. The Use of Fly Traps Efforts have beeil-'made to prepare types of traps for brushing off and trapping the flies from dairy cattle as they come into the barn at milking time. There are some elaborate machines for this ' purpose but they are not used very much as yet. Those ~n the market are too expensive for the average farmer and they are too complicated to be practical. It would seem that some simple device might be used at the door of the dairy barn to trap the flies which come in on the cattle. Shade and Water in Pasture Help On the farm it is a well known fact that plenty of shade and a pond or strea111 of water proves a great help to cattle during the heat of the day. Besides escaping the heat they are better able to fight off the flies where they crowd together or stamp about in the water. Lovv bushy retreats also help them to brush off flies when they become so abundant as to be unbearable. CONTRULLING HORN AND STABLE FLIES 9 INVESTIGATION OF COMMERCIAL FLY SALT During the summer of 1926 manufacturers of certain brands ~ af stock salt were very active in recommending their salt as a remedy for blood sucking flies. Missouri fanners and dairymen became interested in the claims of the manufacturers and the department of entomology at this Station undertook a careful test of one of these salts so as to be able to tell the farmers what value if any the salt had in keeping flies off cattle. The department of dairy husbandry cooperated in the experiment, placing the Station dairy herds at the disposal of the investigators. Fifteen cows of Holstein, TABLE I.-AVERAGE NUMBER OF FI.IES ON Cows FED FLY SALT AND ON THOSE FEb ORIlINARY SAI.T - Average Num-'Salt Average Num- Average Num- ber Stable Cow No. ber Horn Flies her Flies Flies Feeding -503 Fly salt 26.3 3.9 3.0 517 Fly salt • 25.1 3.1 2.8 521 Fly salt 38.4 3.5 3.0 526 Fly salt 15.7 2.0 1.7 527 Fly salt 15.2 2.5 2.1 266 Fly salt 12.3 1.7 1.6 278 Fly salt 24.6 3.2 3.2· 285 Fly salt 10.9 4.9 4.6 125 Fly salt .20.5 3.0 2.6 126 Fly salt 15.9 2.4 1.9 128 Fly salt 14.5 1.6 1.5 151 Fly salt 17.9 1.9 1.4 154 Fly salt 16.6 4.6 3.7 176 Fly salt 23.9 1.9 1.8 177 Fly salt 21.3 3.1 2.9 Averaxe for all on y salt 20.5 3.0 2.7 508 Ordinary salt 11.9 1.9 .1. 5 509 Ordinary salt 15.5 1.6 1.4 510 Ordinary salt 20 . 7 2. 5 2.2 -511 Ordinary salt 34.9 2.9 2.5 SIS Ordinary salt 21.3 2.4 2. 1 525 Ordinary salt 15.4 2.6 2.1 531 Ordinary salt 12.7 2.7 2.6 537 Ordinary salt 14.2 4 .6 3.7 538 Ordinary salt 13.1 3.4 3 .1 325 Ordinary salt 5.4 4 .3 3.9 326 Ordinary salt 13 . 9 3.2 2.7 327 Ordinary salt 9.0 2.4 2.1 328 Ordinary salt 19.0 2.1 2.7 270 Ordinary salt 41.1 3.9 3.5 274 Ordinary salt 17.2 3.2 2.7 163 Ordinary salt 11.4 4.7 4.4 164 Ordinary salt 12.6 3.7 3.4 165 Ordinary salt 8.7 3.4 3.1 167 Ordinary salt 16.2 2.3 2.1 173 Ordinary salt 26.0 1.7 1.5 A vera~e for all on ordinary salt 17.0 2 .9 2.7 10 I\IISSOURl ACRICULTl'RAL EXPERDI ENT STATION BULLETIN 254 Jersey and Guernsey breeds were fed on the fly salt in their regular rations and twenty C0WS of the same breeds and in adjoining stanchions received like rations except that they had the regular stock salt. The rations included 800 pounds corn, 400 pounds bran, 100 pounds linseed oil meal, 100 pounds cotton seed meal, 100 pounds gluten and 20 pounds salt. The experiment began September 23, 1926, and continued until November 1, 1926, when it was discontinued due to the scarcity of flies. Along with the test of the salt some interesting information 011 the influence of color as an attraction for flies was secured. The test and check animals were selected so that the question of color was not a factor in the salt tests. From the these data it is clearly evident that the fly salt had absolutely no effect on the abundance of flies observed on the test Co\VS or on the abundance of stable flies feeding. INFLUENCE OF COLOR ON FLIES Since the test salt had no effect in reducing the number of flies which either fed or rested on the cows, the entire herd may he con-sidered from the point of view of color and its influence on the number of horn flies. In the case of those cows which wel-e ninety per cent or more black there was an average of 22.5 horn flies on each cow while in case of those which were less than 90 per cent black there were on the average only 15.1 flies. This means it difference of about fifty per cent in favor of the lighter color as a protection from horn flies_ On the other hand the darker cows had on the average slightly fewer stahle flies feeding than did the 1 ighter colored cows. 

Controlling horn and stable flies

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