Neolipoptena ferrisi
Neolipoptena ferrisi, or the Pacific deer ked, is a species of fly from the family Hippoboscidae. They are blood-feeding parasites of the mule deer - Odocoileus hemionus, the white-tailed deer - Odocoileus virginianus & The Pronghorn - Antilocapra americana. They are found from British Columbia, Canada, to Baja California, Mexico.[1]
| Neolipoptena ferrisi | |
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| Species: | N. ferrisi |
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| Neolipoptena ferrisi Bequaert, 1935 | |
They are often misidentified as ticks.
The female fly will produce a single larvae at a time, retaining the larva internally until it is ready to pupate. The larva feeds on the secretions of a milk gland in the uterus of the female. After three larval instars, a white pre-pupa which immediately forms a hard dark puparium. The pupa is usually deposited where the deer slept overnight. When the pupa has completed its pupation. a winged adult emerges and flies in search of a suitable host, upon which fly sheds its wings and is permanently associated with the same host.[2] This is typical of most members of the family Hippoboscidae.
References
- Maa, T. C. (1969). "A Revised Checklist and Concise Host Index of Hippoboscidae (Diptera)". Pacific Insects Monograph. Honolulu: Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii. 20: 261–299pp.
- Kern Jr, W.H. (2008). "Neotropical Deer Ked or Neotropical Deer Louse Fly, Neolipoptena mazamae Rondani (Insecta: Diptera: Hippoboscidae)". Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Retrieved 2008-10-10.