Louse fly (also known as Deer ked or Flat fly)
Scientific Name: Lipoptena cervi (or similar Hippoboscidae species)
Order & Family: Order: Diptera; Family: Hippoboscidae
Size: 3 to 7 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Wooded areas, forests, and heathlands, typically associated with wild deer or birds; occasionally found indoors/on humans when looking for a host.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders (hematophagous) that consume the blood of mammals or birds.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly specialized ectoparasites. Upon finding a host, some species (like the deer ked) shed their wings to live permanently in the host's fur or feathers. They are known for their flattened bodies and very strong grip.
Risks & Benefits
They can bite humans, which may cause itchy, red welts or occasional allergic reactions. While they are not major disease vectors for humans, they can cause distress and skin irritation to hosts; they provide no major ecological benefit other than as a food source for some birds.
Identified on: 6/23/2026