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Species Stomoxys calcitrans - Stable Fly

Representative Images

Stable Fly? - Stomoxys calcitrans unknown Fly - Stomoxys calcitrans Fly - Stomoxys calcitrans Stable Fly - Stomoxys calcitrans Dark-veined fly - Stomoxys calcitrans Muscidae - Stomoxys calcitrans Fly - Stomoxys calcitrans Stomoxys calcitrans? - Stomoxys calcitrans - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Diptera (Flies)
No Taxon (Calyptratae)
Superfamily Muscoidea
Family Muscidae
Subfamily Muscinae
Tribe Stomoxyini (Blood-feeding Muscidae)
Genus Stomoxys
Species calcitrans (Stable Fly)

Other Common Names

Beach Fly, Dog Fly, Lawn-mower Fly(1)

Explanation of Names

Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus, 1758)

Size

Adults 5-7 mm(1)

Identification

closely resembles the common housefly (Musca domestica) but has a broader abdomen and can be identified by four characteristic longitudinal stripes across the thorax + several dark dorsal spots on the abdomen. The proboscis is black, long, and thin.
larvae & pupae have uniquely shaped triangular, widely spaced spiracles(1)

Range

native to Eurasia & Africa, probably introduced into the New World during the colonial times(1)

Habitat

larvae in decaying fibrous materials (straw bedding, wet hay/grass clippings, algal mats), cattle manure, soil mixed with manure and/or partially composted bedding, by-products of crop processing, etc.(1)

Food

Adults of both sexes feed on blood during daytime; host specificity is low (mainly cattle and horses); the fully fed fly is sluggish and remains motionless near the host (Bishop 1913; Janovy & Roberts 2000)
Larvae feed on fecal materials and decaying organic matter, such as silage, rotting hay and grass clippings

Life Cycle

eggs take 1-4 days to develop. The larval stage lasts 11-30+ days; third-instar maggots pupate for 6-20 days(2)

Internet References

Fact sheet by J. Newberry(2)
Encyclopedia of Life
North American Diptera Society
Wikipedia

Works Cited

1.Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Gary Mullen, Lance Durden. 2002. Academic Press.
2.Animal Diversity Web: Phylum Arthropoda
Contributed by Eric R. Eaton on 8 September, 2006 - 4:16pm
Additional contributions by john and jane balaban, Beatriz Moisset, Omar Fahmy, Ted Kropiewnicki, David Ferguson, Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, v belov
Last updated 5 February, 2024 - 9:00am

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