Hippoboscidae

Definition

A family of true flies (order Diptera, superfamily Hippoboscoidea) comprising obligate ectoparasites of mammals and birds, commonly called louse flies or keds. Adults are dorsoventrally flattened and either winged (capable of flight) or wingless (secondarily flightless with vestigial or absent wings). Reproduction is adenotrophic viviparity: larvae develop to pupal stage within the female and are deposited as prepupae that immediately pupate. The family includes economically significant pests such as sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus) and deer ked (Lipoptena cervi).

Etymology

From Greek hippos (horse) + bosko (to feed, nourish), referring to the type genus Hippobosca (horse flies), plus family suffix -idae.

Example

The sheep ked, Melophagus ovinus, is a wingless hippoboscid that permanently infests sheep, causing irritation, wool damage, and secondary infections; unlike most flies, it gives birth to mature larvae rather than laying eggs.

Synonyms

• Louse flies
• keds

Related Terms

• Hippoboscoidea
• adenotrophic viviparity
• Ectoparasite
• Diptera
• Melophagus
• Lipoptena
• Pseudolynchia
• sheep ked
• deer ked
• wing polymorphism

Usage Notes

Hippoboscidae is treated as plural in formal taxonomic usage (the family Hippoboscidae), though individual species are referred to as hippoboscids. The common name 'keds' applies especially to wingless, sheep-infesting species (e.g., Melophagus), while 'louse flies' is broader. Distinguish from Hippoboscidae (family) and Hippobosca (type genus). The family's adenotrophic viviparity and extreme morphological reduction in flightless forms make them exceptional among Diptera. Some authors split the family into subfamilies Ornithomyinae (avian parasites, often winged) and Hippoboscinae/Lipopteninae (mammalian parasites, often wingless).