Final answer:
The fly responsible for transmitting pinkeye in cattle is the face fly, Musca autumnalis. This species is linked to the spread of bacterial conjunctivitis, which is a common infectious eye disease in cattle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fly that transmits pinkeye in cattle is known as the Musca autumnalis, commonly referred to as the face fly. This fly species is specifically associated with the spread of bacterial conjunctivitis among cattle. Bacterial conjunctivitis, also called pinkeye, is an infection characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva, with symptoms including eye discharge and redness. While the disease in cattle is often associated with bacteria like Moraxella bovis, the face fly plays a crucial role in transmitting these bacteria from one animal to another due to its feeding behavior on eye secretions.
Bacterial conjunctivitis in cattle is a significant welfare concern and can lead to economic losses in the agricultural sector. It is important to control the fly population as a measure to prevent the spread of the disease amongst cattle herds.