Stomoxys calcitrans
Taxonomic position
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Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus, 1758) - (stable fly)
is a blood-feeding fly with a worldwide distribution, biting domestic animals and humans. In cattle, the stress and resulting avoidance behavior results in reduced weight gain or milk production. Further it is able to transmit various bacterial and viral diseases.
The flies prefer a warm environment and are common in stables. They bite during the day only and a blood meal lasts around 5 minutes. The female needs to feed at least 3 times before it can lay eggs. It breeds in animal dung or in wasted hay mixed with manure. The development from egg to adult lasts 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the temperature.
Control in stables involves sanitation, trapping and pesticide applications. However, control is difficult because the flies spend only a brief time on their hosts and can disperse long distances.
| Vernacular names | |
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| • Deutsch: | Wadenstecher |
| • English: | stable fly biting house fly |
| • Français: | mouche des étables mouche piquante des étables |
The adult is 6-7 mm long, grey to light grey with a forward pointed proboscis. The thorax has 4 darker longitudinal lines, the hind margins of the 2nd and 3rd abdominal segments have several dark spots.
