Livestock, humans at risk as horsefly populations increase in the state

  • FEMALE HORSEFLIES CAN be stubborn, aggressive blood feeders. Reports of the pest have not been high so far, but they are expected to increase in areas that received heavy rains over recent weeks. Photo courtesy of Bart Drees/ Texas A&M AgriLife
    FEMALE HORSEFLIES CAN be stubborn, aggressive blood feeders. Reports of the pest have not been high so far, but they are expected to increase in areas that received heavy rains over recent weeks. Photo courtesy of Bart Drees/ Texas A&M AgriLife
  • LIVESTOCK OWNERS SHOULD monitor their animals for signs of horsefly infestations. Traps can help, but animals should be moved from areas with horseflies to protect them from these persistent blood feeders. Photo courtesy of Katie Hancock/ Texas A&M AgriLife
    LIVESTOCK OWNERS SHOULD monitor their animals for signs of horsefly infestations. Traps can help, but animals should be moved from areas with horseflies to protect them from these persistent blood feeders. Photo courtesy of Katie Hancock/ Texas A&M AgriLife

    Be on the lookout for an especially nasty and tenacious biting insect pest -- the horsefly as it hunts for its next blood meal.

    Sonja Swiger, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist in the Texas A&M Department of Entomology, Stephenville, said she expects reports of horsefly infestations to increase over the coming weeks.

    Despite the name, horseflies are not hostspecific to …