Adult Stable Flies are approximately 3/8 inch (10 mm) in length. They are gray with dark red eyes. They are very similar to the common house fly (Musca domestica), but the abdomen is broader and it has 4 longitudinal stripes across the thorax. It also has several dark dorsal spots on the abdomen. This fly was identified by volunteer experts at the BugGuide website.
The Stable Fly is common in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. The individual in Photo 4 was photographed in June at Fontenelle Forest and the individual in Photos 1-3 was photographed in September at Neale Woods.
Adults of both sexes feed on blood during the daytime mainly of cattle and horses, but will also bite humans. This fly is a native of Eurasia and Africa and was probably introduced to the U.S. during colonial times. The larvae live in decaying straw, grass or cattle manure. The larvae and pupae have triangular shaped, widely spaced spiracles.
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