The Warble-Flies of Cattle. Hypoderma bovis and H. lineatum

Abstract

The phenomenon of tumours in the backs of cattle from which in due time grubs emerge has been known from very early times. So, also, has the phenomenon of “gadding,” now known to be due to Warble flies, and it is sufficient to cite the familiar and most graphic account given by Virgil. Since, however, the origin of the grubs in the tumours was entirely unknown and the “gadding” was usually attributed to members of the Tabanidae, allusions to these phenomena earlier than the 18th century have no value except as indicating the antiquity of the pests.