THE SHEEP MAGGOT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11231, 21 March 1908, Page 5

THE SHEEP MAGGOT.

APPEARANCE IN THIS DISTRICT, Sheepowners will regret to learn that the sheep maggot fly has made what is believed to be its first appearance in this district, and all possible steps to prevent its spread should be taken.' On the 4th inst, Inspector Miller, who has charge of the local branch: of the Agricultural Department, received from a settler in Ormond district speciments of. a. strange fly which had been found by a shepherd in his employ, surrounding the carcase of a sheep, since buried. The specimens, on comparison with the particulars given in the Department's circular,- were considered by Mr Miller to be identical with the sheep maggot fly, .and were accordingly forwarded on to headquarters. Mr J. A. Gilruth, Chief Veterinarian, has advised the inspector, that upon inspection it is found the specimens are those of the "lucilia sericata,!' or sheep maggot fly. The pest is the subject of Bulletin No. 12, issued by the; Department, just recently. The ny has a bright green body, a. little larger than the common house fly, with a white head and brown markings. The Chief Veterinarian, in the bulletin^ states that the pest has only been definitely recoignised in North Otago, and in view: of . the fact that it Js in many parts of the world a veritable scourge, sheepowners should be on the outlook for its appearance, and take all possible precautions to prevent its spread. Smaller than the ordinary "blue bottle," it .is of a greenish blue tint, but is otherwise similar, in appearance; and is frequently con founded with that fly. The sheep fly lays its eggs in the wool of sheep, particularly . those whoso wool is dirty, lambs and hoggets' scouring, the soiled hind quarters being especially prone ..to attacks. Sheep and lambs free' from soiled wool are pot, ; however, exempt from attack when the fly is prevalent during 'the summer months, particularly towards the latter end of the season. Showery weather and long grass on' dewy mornings renndering the wool moist, seem to exert an ihfluencoin attracting the fly. Naturally, iwounds and abrasions of the skin are also likely places of attack. Dead sheep, , especially those left unskinned, afford an excellent breeding ground for the 1 parasites, so that one of the first lines of defence is : burial of all dead sheep, as soon as found. In a . comparatively short time after the eggs are laid the young maggots are hatched out and immediately travel towards the skin, whence they induce irritation and inflammation, which is only aggravated by the attempts of the animal to obtain relief. Soon the maggots burrow through the skin and pass between that and the muscle's,, and if not observed early they will ultimately burrow very deeply, eating their way in cases into the/abdominal cavity before death of the animal occurs. So l'apid is the whole .course of ovents that, even, in a carefully watched flock, cases of extensive damage arc not rare and sometimes even death is impossible to prevent. The preventive' measures set forth by the Chief Veterinarian are, in addition; to the burial of dead sheep— the removal of a breeding grounu-r-cleanliness of wounds arid proper antiseptic treatment, maintenance of cleanliness by crutching and dagging — this will go far to. prevent the fly "striking." Diarrhoea should be treated by removal to different pasture, and, if necessary, the provision of dry food. In addition, to this, dipping by means of an effective lasting dip , as a preventive is strongly recommended. The bulletin also details the curative treatment which should be adopted immediately a sheep is observed to be "blown."