horn fly

noun

: a small dark gray European dipteran fly (Haematobia irritans) that has been introduced into North America where it is a blood-sucking pest especially of cattle

Examples of horn fly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Suzan Murray, director of the Smithsonian’s Global Health Program, suggests that climate change may play a role: Insects such as horn flies that could be transmitting parasites could be thriving in generally warmer and wetter conditions. —Jacob Brogan, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

horn fly

noun

: a small black European dipteran fly (Haematobia irritans of the family Muscidae) that has been introduced into North America where it is a bloodsucking pest of cattle

called also cattle fly