Wing-dimorphic
Guides
Lipoptena mazamae
Neotropical deer ked, Neotropical deer louse fly
Lipoptena mazamae is an obligate blood-feeding ectoparasitic fly in the family Hippoboscidae. Adults emerge winged from puparia, then shed their wings permanently upon locating a suitable host. The species is primarily associated with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the southeastern United States and red brocket deer (Mazama americana) from Mexico to northern Argentina. Both sexes feed on host blood. Females are larviparous, retaining and nourishing a single larva internally until it is ready to pupate.