Let’s have a little fun, a little learning and a little YIKES! today with the HORN FLY:

As the story goes, the Horn Fly got its name for its annoying habit of clustering around the horns of cattle… but the Horn Fly also likes to hang around the backs and bellies of cattle, too.

But don’t think human beings are exempt from the bite of the Horn Fly.  No.  The Horn Fly also has been known to feed on dogs, horses, pigs and even us.  YIKES! Cattle, though, remain the Horn Fly’s most tasty and important means of existence.

The Horn Fly’s real name is Haematobia irritans, and is a native of Europe.  The Horn Fly was introduced to North American in the 19th century and has been a problem ever since.

The Horn Fly is a small, blood-sucking fly (about half the size of a common House-fly) that infests cattle and carries disease.  Its mouth parts are long and slender.  The cattle spend much time and energy trying to shoo away the potential thousands (YIKES!) of Horn Flies that land on them and suck their blood each day. This effects heart and respiratory systems and reduces milk production.

The Horn Fly nuisance gives new meaning to the song Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me.

Another Horn Fly tidbit that’s worth a YIKES!… the Horn Fly lays its eggs in fresh manure.

The Horn Fly may be a super-pest, but it’s an interesting super-pest.  Kids love to learn about these super-pests… so share the Horn Fly with your kids and grandkids.  It may be fun to compare the Horn Fly with the Stable Fly, or even the common House-fly.

Join me here each day in June for JUNE BUGS on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids! Add a little fun, a little learning and a little YIKES! to your kids’ day!