The Bot Fly.

Otago Witness, Issue 2010, 1 September 1892, Page 32

The Bot Fly.

TO THE EDITOR Sir,— l have just finished the perusal of t Economic Entomologist's " valuable contribution on the above subject in your issue of 11th inst., and while I cordially agree with his laudable desire to allay the alarm which undoubtedly fills the minds of many farmers and others in this island, at the same time I do not think it wise to be too optimistic or to treat too lightly a disease which though at present trifling in its effects may at any moment develop with such rapidity and to such an extent as to become a serious epidemic. I have been informed, though I have not the means at hand to authenticate the statement, that certain parts of America some time ago suffered severely from the ravages of the bot fly, causing great mortality and almost paralysing the horse traffic. If such is the case have we any guarantee that under certain conditions, atmospheric or otherwise, a like development may not result in I similar experience in this country ? I am in no sense of the word an entomologist, nor have anything but a superficial knowledge of the natural history of the bot fly. If I had I should doubtless share the feelings of easy indifference with which your correspondent seems to think the subject may be viewed. Unfortunately for my peace of mind as well as that of many others in this part of the country, several horses have lately succumbed to what has been popularly attributed to the destructive effects of the insect in question. On one of these animals a post mortem revealed the presence in great numbers of the larva) adhering to the walls of the stomach, a fact which left no doubt in the minds of those present as to the cause of death. The loss of even one horse is to many a serious matter, and "Economic Entomologist' ma} feel assured that in writing this I am not actuated by the spirit of hostile criticism, but by a desire to gain any further information he may have to impart on the subject. Referring to your correspondent's letter, am I to understand by ' their natural habitat" that it is impossible for the bot fly to exist or reach maturity anywhere but in the stomach of the horse ? Granted that through neglect of the preventive measures suggested by "Economic Entomologist" the larvse reach the stomach, what are their operations and effects, the natural symptoms which indicate their presence, and the best form of remedial treatCouid " Economic Entomologist " supply information on all or any of these points he will confer a boon on many who now rightly or wrongly attribute their loss of valuable animals directly to the destructive agency of the bot fly.— l am, &c, . Mtfthven, August 27. I- Fkaser.