Available for order $99+, Where to find FREE or Cheap RV Sites Camping (2021), Off the Beaten Path: Old Asylum in Michigan. As a general rule, black fly season runs from mid-May through mid-June. Technically, we're talking about two kinds of biting flies. The stable fly is a globally recognized pest of livestock. Rochester Hills, MI 48307, © 2020, RV Lifestyle. Habronema or Summer Sores. What do flies look like? Males usually die after mating and the females after laying eggs. Inside my RV. Stomoxys calcitrans is commonly called the stable fly, barn fly, biting house fly, dog fly, or power mower fly. Adult flies are gray in color and are 6 to l2 mm long, the sides of their faces are hairy, on each end of their two antennae is a single and branched bristle, their thoraxes have three … Now found worldwide, the species is considered to be of Eurasian origin. Stable flies breed in soggy hay, grasses, piles of moist fermenting weed, grass cuttings, peanut litter, seaweed deposits along beaches, in soiled straw bedding, and sometimes in hay ring feeding sites. The adults are particularly annoying to humans and animals because they feed by piercing the skin and sucking blood. Of these 18 species Stomoxys calcitransis the only species that is present worldwide and the only species that is synanthropic. They can be a problem in cattle feedlots in the Midwestern USA. [2], Cattle heavily infested with stable flies have been noted to become anemic and milking cows have been observed to show lower milk production. Many that have fed on me have white stripes on their legs. They would be there one day in hordes. Black flies are small, dark flies with a humped back that can give a painful bite. They can be a problem in cattle feedlots in the Midwestern USA. Because they only have two wings, flies land often and therefore can deposit thousands of bacteria each time they land. The tour guide’s assistant bangs the door shut behind us and with that, we are at the top of a stairway leading to a series of underground tunnels built in 1883. ); One of the guys calls black flies what I commonly refer to as lake flies (among other names). Adults are generally about 6–8 mm ( ⁄4– ⁄16 inch) in length and a lighter color than the housefly. The stable fly adult is similar to the house fly in size and color. I always tell people in the U.P. “Stable fly” is just one of the many common names used to refer to this pest. They are all over the north, with a significant portion of Canada & Alaska being the worst areas in the western hemisphere for them. A distinguishing feature of the stable fly, visible to the naked eye, is the distinct stiletto-like proboscis of the stable fly which extends forward beyond the head. } Use an insect repellent like Bugzilla intended for biting flies. And they can be exacerbated by another Ohio animal. Stable flies. Bugs in the UP are unpredictable. [2], The stable fly resembles the common housefly (Musca domestica), though smaller, and on closer examination has a slightly wider and spotted abdomen. He and Jennifer also host the weekly RV Podcast and do twice-weekly videos on the YouTube RV Lifestyle Channel. Horses have been known to go lame from continuously stomping off the flies. If camping, get some fly traps or fly strips. You'll still get bit by these biting black and stable flies, but maybe not as much. The average adult lives about 20 days. “Checkerboard” markings are obvious on the topside of the abdomen. } The life cycle has a duration of about two weeks at temperatures around 27 Â°C (81 Â°F). Locals – they call themselves Yoopers – told me not to buy into the Chamber of Commerce spin that there is a season for bugs in the UP. Ship your RV to Alaska in 2021 – New pros and cons, RV Living 101: Our Complete Guide to the Most Helpful RV Resources, 27 Effortless Winter Camping Tips for RVers. Get a free Packing List for your next trip when you join our RV Lifestyle community and subscribe to our weekly newsletter. [4], As its name suggests, the stable fly is abundant in and around where cattle are kept. There are 18 known species in the genus Stomoxys. Hopefully the flies aren’t that bad! The adults have a piercing/sucking proboscis that is used to extract a bloodmeal and seven circular black spots on a gray abdomen. Stable fly, (Stomoxys calcitrans), a species of vicious bloodsucking fly in the family Muscidae (sometimes placed in the family Stomoxyidae) in the fly order, Diptera. Enter your info below and you are in! MANAGING BITING FLIES IN MICHIGAN. In addition, you may experience mosquitos, no-see-ums, stable flies (most active in hot humid weather! Geat job with the blackflies! Plus free perks, discounts and exclusive RV travel tips! Unlike the housefly, where the mouth part is adapted for sponging, the stable fly mouth parts have biting structures. That seems to catch a few hundred every day. No-See-Ums resemble miniature, short-legged mosquitoes, and are usually less than 3 millimeters long. that if a beach has the stable flies in large numbers, move 5 miles down and give that a try. Stable flies are also known as “dog flies” because the fly often bites and irritates dogs. The mosquitoes are pretty bad at times, too. There are more than 16,000 species of flies in North America. Stable flies are usually found in open sunny areas, although they may enter a house during bad weather. Tips to avoid biting black and stable flies tips and bugs in the UP : The video shows what bugs in the UP season, aka summer, is like up there. If Lake Michigan's beaches seem unusually bad, head up to Lake Superior or vice versa. Each Monday we publish our RV Lifestyle Newsletter, where we share weekly articles about RV travel that inspire and inform. callback: cb Host Material: decaying hay, straw, fermenting weeds, grass and sea weeds. (function() { But in this post we're talking about flies. Unlike the housefly, where the mouth part is adapted for sponging, the stable fly mouth parts have biting structures. Holding our flashlights, we enter with a group of 18 others. [7] Some of the reported parasites and diseases for which the stable fly might be a vector include Trypanosoma evansi (the agent of Surra), Trypanosoma brucei, brucellosis, equine infectious anemia, African horse sickness (AHS), and fowlpox. Stable flies become a major problem in early spring. The early morning and late afternoon hours are commonly peak feeding times. The damage inflicted to cattle is caused by the painful bite and blood loss, and the irritation results in a reduced efficiency in converting feed to meat or milk. Appearance. In the summer, there are a lot of bugs in the UP! { Nevertheless, sanitation can be an important method of controlling some biting flies. However, the number of species we have means one can enjoy them well into August and early September if you are in the right place. The eggs hatch after 1 to 3 days into yellowish-white maggots/larvae. Sheila. Thanks for visiting us. Unlike a mosquito (which sucks up blood through a proboscis), black flies slash the skin and lap up the pooled blood. Great video, Mike. All that beauty comes with a cost. Plus, besides the insider’s newsletter each Monday, you’ll get lots of special perks and RV discounts. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( The video gives you a sense of what to expect about bugs in the UP if you'll be visiting the area. Stable flies strongly resemble the standard house fly, but are slightly smaller in size at 5 to 7 millimeters. Stable flies have dark stripes on their back and a checkerboard-like pattern on the top of their abdomen. Stable flies also have long, bayonet-like mouthparts for sucking blood. Peak black fly season in Michigan is usually from mid-May to mid-June but the number of species we have means one can enjoy them well into August and early September if your are in the right place. But all that gorgeous scenery comes with a price - black flies. … [9] Having a lot of deer means having a lot of animals that prey on them, including stable flies. I do hope you were able to enjoy your stay amongst the flies! The brick-lined tunnels are under the former Traverse City State Hospital, located in the northwest part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula (a relatively short distance from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, see map at bottom of story). We didn’t have many problems with them when we went in the 3rd week of July last year to the Pictured Rocks area…then again, we also regularly used a spray bottle of a home-made mix of Listerine & catnip, which the flies that were around really seemed to hate. The stable fly (Figure 1), Stomoxys calcitrans,is a blood-sucking filth fly of considerable importance to people, pets, livestock, and the tourist industry in Florida. Stable Flies resemble House Flies with their dull appearance and their 4 dark stripes on the upper body. 145 S. Livernois Rd., #165 3) are most abundant Answered: We usually do our UP visits in the fall, pretty much to avoid the flies while backpacking close to Lake Superior in the Porkies. Stable flies primarily attack animals for a blood meal but in the absence of an animal host, will also bite man. Stable Flies: Identifying Characteristics:1/4-inch long, pointed proboscis. Adult stable flies (fig. Megan and I will be hitting the UP in the 3rd week of August as we start our Journey out West. Most tourists are more likely to encounter stable flies because most tourists enjoy beaches. You know, about the size of a house fly, burns when they bite, and the more you swat and kill, the more they are attracted to you, mostly your ankles. Stable flies occur primarily outdoors and are daytime biting flies. S. calcitrans is also reported to be a vector of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Biting stable flies and houseflies that feed on wounds or chronically moist skin can infect the tissue with Habronema stomach worms. Plus free perks, discounts and exclusive RV travel tips! Now I know these are widely known as stable flies, though I mostly encounter them on the big lake. Both the male and female stable flies … Its maggots are often seen in the rotting manure near cattle and poultry. Many that have fed on me have white stripes on their legs. To have your voice heard on the podcast, you can leave us a comment or question via Google Voice by calling 1-586-372-6990, Our mailing address is: In its normal agronomic environment, livestock facilities, the stable fly does not usually bother human beings. [5], The earliest and one of the most comprehensive accounts of stable fly biology was presented by F. Bishop in 1913. Summer is Biting black and stable flies season. These flies like to feed on the shoulders, neck, withers and belly, contributing to abdominal midline dermatitis. As soon as you sign up, we’ll send you for free the RV travel checklist that Jennifer and I use. Stable flies have dark stripes on their back and a checkerboard-like pattern on the top of their abdomen. } Stable flies usually attack the legs and ventral abdomen and may also bite the ears. How To Identify & Control Flies Latin Name. Often known as biting The next day, which weather-and-wind-wise seemed just the same, they were no problem. If you… Tom was a proud and decorated veteran of the US Army (Vietnam) and a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. The stable fly resembles the common housefly (Musca domestica), though smaller, and on closer examination has a slightly wider and spotted abdomen. [8] They have written 10 books on RV travel. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { In my book, these two biting bugs in the UP are equally evil. Adult stable flies are typically 5mm to 7mm in length and unlike the house fly, which has an unpatterned abdomen, stable fly abdomens have seven circular spots. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a wild and beautiful place. Stable flies represent >90% of flies developing from rotting crop residues of either cauliflower, celery, broccoli, carrots, onions, potatoes and corn. Get 10% OFF RV Parts at CampingWorld.com with our code: RVLIFESTYLE10. Stable flies can be a problem across the Great Lakes. The other major concern you have is the risk of infestation from the stable flies that are buzzing around your animals and stables. Stable flies are strong fliers; however, most of the flies on dairies developed on or in close proximity to the individual facility, but a breeding area one to two miles away could still affect your farm. Bishop (1913) noted that the larvae can endure for more than 30 days in less nutritious environs. It’s a chilly autumn night with a mist of rain falling on rustling dying leaves as the tour guide opens a creaky metal door that seems out of place in the middle of what appears to be an insignificant patch of grass. Stable flies usually attack the legs and ventral abdomen and may also bite the ears. The meanest of the Bugs in the UP – Biting black and stable flies. For egg production, the female requires its abdomen to be engorged with blood. Adult Occurrence: More common in warm months,after a rain. Insecticide repellents are effective. Life Cycle:3-4 weeks. Better known as Stable Flies (or Sable Flies in the Grand Marias area) they tend to keep to farm animals, piling upon their ankles and slicing small cuts to drink blood from. [6] The stable fly bites humans at rest in the outdoors. The damage inflicted to cattle is caused by the painful bite and blood loss, and the irritation results in a reduced efficiency in converting feed to meat or milk. I had no idea there were two distinct species tormenting folks up there until our visit. Though there might not be time when they disappear entirely in the warm part of the year, it is true that they aren’t quite as bad after the 2nd week of June (though that depends on when winter ends in the UP). But they all belong to the order Diptera, meaning two wings. The maggots from these flies use rotting organic matter to develop and the items in your barn or stable – straw, horse feed, hay, water, and urine – can provide the perfect environment for this. Michigan State University Entomologist Howard Russell begs to differ, he believes they're stable flies. This sharply pointed beak is used to pierce the skin and draw blood. 1, 2) develop in moist organic matter, especially in rain- or urine-soaked straw or grass. forms: { The abdomen has dark spots. All rights reserved. event : evt, The eggs are laid among putrefying organic materials such as hay, manure, and wood. Black flies are small, stout flies with a humpbacked appearance. Peak activity usually occurs during warm periods following rainfall. The female takes approximately 2–5 minutes to engorge, after which it becomes sluggish for a while. Answered: We usually do our UP visits in the fall, pretty much to avoid the flies while backpacking close to Lake Superior in the Porkies. Peak black fly season in Michigan is usually from mid-May to mid-June. [9][10] [1] Unlike most members of the family Muscidae, Stomoxys calcitrans ('sharp mouth' + 'kicking') and others of its genus suck blood from mammals. The duration is highly dependent on temperature and nutrient quality available for the larvae. RVLifestyle What is Stealth Camping, and How Should You Do It in 2021? } Filth flies, including stable flies, exploit habitats and food sources created by human activities, such as farming. ), and other biting insects when you visit Pictured Rocks. They are abundant throughout the United States where large numbers of domestic farm animals occur. Seldom seen or heard but sometimes felt is the No-See-Um , also called Punkies or Biting Midges. Be prepared with insect repellent and protective clothing. These little guys look like harmless house flies but pack a serious punch in swarms. Stable Flies have a needle-like, stiff, piercing mouthpart that protrudes forward below their head. [11], "Veterinary Entomology | Veterinary Entomology", "Risk Factors Associated with Anthrax Outbreak in Animals in North Dakota, 2005: A Retrospective Case-Control Study", "Mechanical transmission of Bacillus anthracis by stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes taeniorhynchus)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stable_fly&oldid=987104044, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 4 November 2020, at 23:07. In warm weather, the pupal stage lasts 6 to 20 days. Stable flies are painful biting filth flies that resemble the house fly in appearance but just a tad bit smaller in size (5-7 mm long). Go figure. Biting flies. Family Diptera. Wear long pants or jeans (they tend to bite the most below the knees, especially around the ankles). })(); Get a free Packing List for your next trip when you join our RV Lifestyle community and subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Stable fly eggs are laid in places such as decaying hay, straw, fermenting weeds, grass, and seaweed. These flies are 3/16”-5/16” long. stable Flies The immature stages of stable flies (figs. He was born January 10, 1947, in Jackson, Michigan, to Robert and Rose Deschaine. Black fly season occurs from mid-March to mid-July in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, north through New York and New England, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and into Southern Canada. [3] Adults are generally about 6–8 mm (1⁄4–5⁄16 inch) in length and a lighter color than the housefly. However, certain regions of the U.S. have particular conditions that result in stable flies attacking people. Stable flies like to fee… No more forgetting things! Management Methods: Residual and contact sprays, traps These larvae pass through 3 instars and pupate in the last larval skin. Friendly flies resemble house flies, but they are larger, slower and distinctly more bristly. Area-wide control of biting flies can be difficult due to the hidden habitats in which the larvae are found, and because some adult biting flies may fly miles from their larval habitats. on: function(evt, cb) { You can save it to your computer and print it out for every trip like we do. I really can't tell you which is which, or which is worse. It's all summer long, they say, from the first frost-free days in May through the first freeze in October. While stable and deer flies remain on shore, horse flies often target people swimming in the water. A distinguishing feature of the stable fly, visible to the naked eye, is the distinct stiletto-like proboscis of the stable fly which extends forward beyond the head. In many parts of the world, the species is a carrier of trypanosomid parasites. Black flies are small, stout flies with a humpbacked appearance. Mike Wendland is a veteran journalist who, with his wife, Jennifer, travels North America in a small motorhome, blogging about the people, places, joys and adventure of RV life on the road at RVLifestyle.com. [2] The adults of both sexes feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals during the daytime. listeners: [], And during our early July visit to the Lake Superior shoreline, we found them everywhere – on the beach, in the woods, at the campground. These regions include coastal New Jersey, the Lake Superior an… To be engorged with blood is commonly called the stable fly does not usually bother human beings is! 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May experience mosquitos, no-see-ums, stable flies usually attack the legs and ventral abdomen may! Will be hitting the up are equally evil larvae can endure for more 30! Russell begs to differ, he believes they 're stable flies become major. Get lots of special perks and RV discounts not usually bother human beings exacerbated another! Michigan, to Robert and Rose Deschaine weather-and-wind-wise seemed just the same, they were problem... Experience mosquitos, no-see-ums, stable flies in North America stable flies michigan West inspire and inform the daytime to.