Crab Flies; do they burrow into the skin??

[Leonie]

I've posted this in the new lounge as well. I wasn't sure if as many people look in the Veterinary section.

I'm after some advice on Crab flies; how I can only describe them as - is a flying tick crossed with a house fly. I've just imported a horse and was warned that they are rife on the continent. They can fly but mainly hang around horses crevasis. He has a very swollen and pusy area around the top of his dock and I wondered if they are actually burying under the skin? He has only just arrived so not been right up close to have a look as he's a bit sensitive around the area / new horse.

I've found little info on the internet and wondered if anyone had any experience of them?

Cheers, Leonie.

 

[ososilly]

Are they the same as warbles? Warbles go under the skin

 

[SpruceRI]

Hi

You get Crab flies in Britain because my New Forest foals I bought from the sales several years ago came with them.

They look like house flies, brownish, and scuttle sideways at speed. You can catch them if you're quick. They are hard like a beetle so you have to crush them with your finger nails.

Not sure whether they bury, just bite I think. The Newfies weren't bothered by them, but my own horses went absolutely mad when the critters jumped on them.

 

[Faithkat]

They seem to be fairly unique to the New Forest area which is the reason you don't find much (if anything) about them on the internet and people in other parts of the country don't know what we're talking about. They are just as madhossy describes. They don't bury into the skin but sit on the soft parts (inside the top of the back legs, round the bum etc) and bite HARD - they draw blood! Ordinary fly repellents have no effect on them and neither do home made ones. They are really horrible.

 

[merlinsquest]

If you google 'deer ked' I think you will find more about them (if its the same critter)

Merlin has had a couple of these and they drive the horse to distraction and to the point of being dangerous.

I used dermoline shampoo (for lice) and it killed it stone dead, it was the only way I could catch it

 

[SpruceRI]

No, they don't look like the 'deer ked'. And they have wings although don't seem to fly much, just run FAST! They move across the top of the coat rather than within it.