. Annual report - Entomological Society of Ontario. Entomological Society of Ontario; Insect pests; Insects. 40. The flies frequent chiefly the uplands, and especially the vicinity of trees, and seem to avoid water or damp localities, a fact that cattle seem to learn by experience. Owing to this habit cattle that graze on meadows are generally free from them, or nearly so, although those on the neighbouring hills may be attacked. The Sheep Bot-Fly (CepJmlcemia [CEstrus] ovis, Linn.). This fly, which is a great deal smaller than the ox-fly, which it somewhat resembles, has a large hairy head, a
. Annual report - Entomological Society of Ontario. Entomological Society of Ontario; Insect pests; Insects. 40. The flies frequent chiefly the uplands, and especially the vicinity of trees, and seem to avoid water or damp localities, a fact that cattle seem to learn by experience. Owing to this habit cattle that graze on meadows are generally free from them, or nearly so, although those on the neighbouring hills may be attacked. The Sheep Bot-Fly (CepJmlcemia [CEstrus] ovis, Linn.). This fly, which is a great deal smaller than the ox-fly, which it somewhat resembles, has a large hairy head, and ash-coloured thorax, with four black lines and small black spots. The abdomen is light ash, more or less spotted with black. The female has a tapering abdomen, with a long ovipositor, which is curved forward when about to deposit the eggs. Mr. Riley states that this insect is the dread of sheep, in the Old as well as the New AVorld, and was made mention of by a Greek physician as far back as the year 560. " Even at the sight of this insect," says Figuier ''the sheep feels the greatest terror. As soon as one of them appears the flock becomes disturbed; the sheep that is attacked shakes its head Fig. Sheep Bot-Fly. when it feels the fly on its nostril, and at the same time strikes the ground violently with its fore feet; it then commences to run here and there, holding its nose near the ground, smelling the grass, and looking about anxiously to see if it is still pursued. It is to avoid the attacks of the Cephalcemia that during the hot days of summer, sheep lie down with their nostrils buried in dusty ruts, or stand up with their heads lowered between their fore legs, and their noses nearly in contact with the ground. When these poor beasts are in the open country, they are observed assembled with their nostrils against each other and very near the ground, so that those which occupy the outside are alone ; According to the generally received opi
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectinsects, bookyear1872
