HEEL FLY Meaning and
Definition
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Heel fly is a term used to describe a type of biting fly that primarily attacks and infests livestock, such as cattle and horses. These flies belong to the genus Hypoderma and are commonly known as heel flies due to their peculiar behavior of laying their eggs near the heels or legs of the host animals.
The life cycle of the heel fly typically begins when adult female flies deposit their eggs on the lower parts of the animal's body. These eggs then hatch and larvae burrow into the animal's flesh, usually near the surface, causing painful skin lesions.
Once inside the host, the larvae migrate internally, dwelling beneath the skin and often causing irritation, inflammation, and discomfort. They create swollen, cyst-like growths known as warbles, which can be seen and felt beneath the skin. These warbles serve as protective capsules for the growing larvae.
Heel fly infestations can lead to various health problems in livestock, including reduced weight gain, decreased milk production, and even secondary infections. Therefore, effective control and prevention measures, such as regular fly control measures and prompt removal of the larvae, are crucial to preserve the health and well-being of the animals.
Moreover, heel flies also pose a threat to humans, as accidental infection can occur when larvae mistakenly burrow into human skin. This condition is known as cutaneous myiasis and requires medical attention.
In summary, heel fly refers to a type of biting fly belonging to the genus Hypoderma that commonly infests livestock, causing skin lesions, discomfort, and potential health issues.
Common Misspellings for HEEL FLY
- geel fly
- beel fly
- neel fly
- jeel fly
- ueel fly
- yeel fly
- hwel fly
- hsel fly
- hdel fly
- hrel fly
- h4el fly
- h3el fly
- hewl fly
- hesl fly
- hedl fly
- herl fly
- he4l fly
- he3l fly
- heek fly
- heep fly
Etymology of HEEL FLY
The word "heel fly" is a compound noun that consists of two separate parts: "heel" and "fly".
The word "heel" originally comes from the Old English word "hēla", which means "the back part of the foot". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "hǣlǭ", meaning "heel", "hock", or "ankle". Interestingly, the Old Norse word "hæll" also contributed to the development of the word "heel".
The term "fly" in this context refers to a certain type of insect. It is believed that the term "fly" is derived from the Old English word "flēoge", which ultimately has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "fleuganą", meaning "to fly". This term was used to describe various winged insects.
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