stable fly

American  

noun

1. a two-winged fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, having the mouthparts adapted for biting, and commonly a household and stable pest.

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stable fly British  

noun

1. a blood-sucking muscid fly, Stomoxys calcitrans , that attacks man and domestic animals

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Etymology

Origin of stable fly

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Or, as Dr. Packer put it, “Lions climb trees to escape pests, whether they’re as big as an elephant or as small as a stable fly.”

From New York Times

Stable manure should be hauled out and scattered at regular intervals, preferably every three days, and the vicinity of stables should be kept free from accumulations of straw and hay that may become wet and serve as breeding places for the stable fly.

From Project Gutenberg

The stable fly breeds in moist accumulations of straw, chaff, cow or horse manure, and various fermenting vegetable substances.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be well worth while to experiment with the larvae of other species, such as the house fly, the stable fly, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

And the stable, fly infested, standing as before.

From Project Gutenberg