THE OX WARBLE FLY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3616, 24 February 1906, Page 4

THE OX WARBLE FLY.

Bent anil Most Efficient Way to Oct Eld of the Post In to Destroy | the Mrnojot. The warble or swelling ou the back of cattle is caused by the lavra of a fly which attaches its eggs to the hair on the legs. Hanks ami i.et-k of the animal. These batch ami the larvae establish, themselves under the skin, usuall}' ou either side of the back-bone. Here they feed upon the animal juices umil ready to pupate, causing the swelling or warble. When growth is eomp'c'cd the grub leaves the waride, drops to the ground, crawls under the most con-

veuieut shelter, such as a piece of board, log. etc, and here Irnnsfonns into the fly or adult stage. There is a difference of opinion as u, tow'tin; grub g-us under the skin. Sonic entomologists claim that the egg is taken into tlie stomach by the animals licking* themselves, hatch there, adhering to the walls, than the grubs gradually work their way toward the surface, where- they remain until fully grown. Others hold thatthe eggs hatch where they are laid and the young larvae bury themselves at once

under the skin. Whatever method is employed the results are- the same. The best way tc get rid of the pest is to kill the maggot. This may be done by squeezing them out. Placei the thumbs near the base of the swelling and press firmly until] the grub is forced out, To prevent the attacks of the fly in summer, a mixture of four ounces flowers of sulphur, one gill of spirits of tar with a quart of train oil rubbed along the spine, loins and ribs it< useful. Train oil can be used alone. As the fly does not move about from place to place freely, its eradication on individual farms depends almost completely upon the owner.— Orange Judd Farmer,