Sweet itch, Queensland itch, seasonal recurrent dermatitis, and summer itch are all common names for a condition in horses caused by hypersensitivity to the saliva of Culicoides sp. Common affected areas include the tail head, mane, ears, and ventrum. Alopecia occurs secondary to pruritus.
Horn Flies, Face Flies, and Stable Flies
A member of the family Calliphoridae, Phormia regina is an important cause of secondary or wound myiasis with a tendency to invade both necrotic and fresh tissue. Commonly known as the black blow fly, these flies are ubiquitous in the United States; times of peak activity vary by climate.
Horse Flies, Deer Flies, and Black Flies
A feeding female Tabanus melanocerus. Female Tabanids are well known as blood-feeders but will, like males, also feed on plant fluids. When feeding on blood, they cut the host skin and then lap the pooled blood. Horse flies serve as mechanical vectors for many pathogens and as biological vectors for Trypanosoma theileri and Elaeophora schneideri.
Simulium sp. female
Simulium spp., also known as black flies, buffalo gnats, or humpback flies, are biting flies that swarm when they attack. There are reports of Simulium sp. attacks resulting in the death of livestock and wildlife. Simulium is also known to vector viruses (e.g. Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Vesicular Stomatitis), protozoa (e.g. Leucocytozoon sp.), and nematodes (e.g. Onchocerca spp.).
Simulium sp. larvae
Simulium spp. females deposit eggs on stones or plants just below the surface of the water in running streams. The eggs hatch in 4 to 12 days and the larvae attach themselves to rocks by means of a posterior organ that is armed with small hooks. Their anterior is equipped with a pair of brush-like organs with which they trap and ingest other insects.
Nodules on the backs of cattle caused by encysted Hypoderma larvae, said to be in the, 'warble' stage. The larvae cut small holes or pores in the backs of cattle through which they respire. This stage lasts approximately 30 days before the larvae emerge through the pores and begin pupation in the soil.
Migrating first stage larvae of Hypoderma lineatumlarvae. Adult female Hypoderma lineatum deposit eggs below the hocks on the hair of cattle during the spring. The eggs hatch, larvae penetrate, and begin to migrate through the host. Larvae of H. lineatum may be found around the esophagus during the winter.
Keds (Wingless Flies)