Buffalo flies and their control

The buffalo fly, Haematobia irritans exigua, is a small biting fly 3.5–4 mm long. It feeds off cattle and buffalo, and causes irritation which can result in reduced production if cattle are heavily infested.

This Primefact includes the following information about buffalo fly:

• distribution
• life cycle
• spread
• effect on cattle
• minimising the use of chemicals
• non-chemical control methods
• precautions.