Louse fly or Deer ked

Forests, woodlands, and brushy areas inhabited by deer, elk, and other large mammals.

Hematophagous; feeds exclusively on the blood of mammalian hosts.

These flies land on a host, shed their wings, and crawl through the fur or hair to feed on blood. They are obligate ectoparasites and complete their lifecycle on or near their hosts.

Risks include painful bites, potential transmission of pathogens to animals, and annoyance to humans if accidentally encountered in the woods. They provide no significant benefits to humans and are considered pests to livestock and wildlife.