''Haematobosca stimulans'' is a

fly Flies are insects of the Order (biology), order Diptera, the name being derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwing ...

from the family Muscidae. It is an

ectoparasite Parasitism is a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way of life. The entomologist E. O. Wilson has ...

which feeds on the blood of mammals.

Description

See Morphology of Diptera for terms. The proboscis is of the blood-sucking type, strongly sclerotised, at least as long as head, without distinct labella. The lower squama is broadly rounded at the apex, its inner margin strongly diverging from scutellum throughout. The palpi are much more than half as long as the mentum. The hypopleuronis bare. The subcostal vein is setulose. Notopleuron hairy. Length 5-6·5 mm.

Biology

Eggs are laid in almost fresh cow-dung. The larvae are trimorphic and leave the egg in the first instar and may reach maturity without resorting to carnivory. Adults are found around cattle on which they feed, and in farm buildings such as milking parlours etc. Flight from May to October.

References

Muscidae Diptera of Europe Insects described in 1824 {{Muscidae-stub