What are stable flies?
The stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans), is also sometimes called the “biting fly” or “dog fly,” is a common fly which mainly bites horses and catlle , but also humans, dogs and pigs. Stable flies are difficult to distinguish from house flies, except that stable flies have a bayonetlike mouthpart (proboscis) protruding from the front of the head. See the picture opposite which shows the stable fly (top) and house/bush fly (bottom). Adult stable flies (of both sexes) feed during the day, generally in the early morning and late afternoon. The female fly requires blood before she is able to lay eggs. Click the image above to download the brochure “Fly Breeding Associated with Horticulture and Livestock”. A joint publication by Agriculture WA, Entomology Section (Dr David Cook and Dr Ian Dadour) and the Health Department of WA, Environmental Health Service (Dave Peckitt and Owen Ashby).
