Using Visual and Digital Imagery to Quantify Horn Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Densities

Authors

Brandon Smythe, New Mexico State UniversityFollow
David J. Boxler, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Gary Brewer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Eric T. Psota, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
D. Wes Watson, North Carolina State UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

2020

Citation

Journal of Insect Science, (2020) 20(5): 16; 1–7

doi: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa110

Comments

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License

Abstract

The horn fly, Haematobia irritans L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is a persistent pest of cattle globally. A threshold of 200 flies per animal is considered the standard management goal; however, determining when that threshold has been exceeded is difficult using visual estimates that tend to overestimate the actual fly densities and are, at best, subjective. As a result, a more reliable and durable method of determining horn fly densities is needed. Here, we describe the methods commonly used to quantify horn fly densities including visual estimates and digital photography, and provide examples of quantification software and the prospect for computer automation methods.