Parasitic-fly
Guides
Dalmannia nigriceps
Dalmannia nigriceps is a species of thick-headed fly described by Loew in 1866. It belongs to the genus Dalmannia within the family Conopidae, a group of parasitic flies known for their distinctive head morphology. The species has been documented in the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Hypoderma lineatum
Common Cattle Grub, Ox Warble Fly
Hypoderma lineatum is a parasitic warble fly in the family Oestridae, commonly known as the common cattle grub. Adults emerge from puparia in early May, approximately one month before the related H. bovis. Females oviposit on cattle during sunny, calm weather from late May through early September, showing a preference for open areas and avoiding water and shade. First-instar larvae penetrate the host's skin and migrate to the gullet, where they develop for an average of 42.5 days before moving to subcutaneous tissues of the back. The species causes significant economic damage to cattle through hide degradation, reduced milk yield, and irritation during adult oviposition activity. Unlike H. bovis, H. lineatum does not terrify cattle during oviposition; animals typically show little uneasiness.
Microphthalma
Microphthalma is a genus of tachinid flies in the family Tachinidae, first described by Macquart in 1843. The genus contains approximately 16 described species distributed across multiple continents. As with other tachinids, members of this genus are parasitoid flies whose larvae develop within host insects. The genus name refers to the characteristically reduced eyes found in these flies.