Difference between revisions of "Melophagus ovinus"
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| − | *Also known as | + | *Also known as |
| + | {|border="2" align="center" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" rules="all" style="margin:1em 1em 1em 0; border:solid 1px #AAAAAA; border-collapse:collapse;empty-cells:show" | ||
| + | | '''Sheep Ked | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |} | ||
*Found worldwide | *Found worldwide | ||
Revision as of 23:21, 7 April 2010
- Also known as
| Sheep Ked |
- Found worldwide
- Bites sheep and goats
- A separate species is found on deer
Recognition
- 4-6mm long
- Hairy
- Forward pointing proboscis
- Short head
- Reddish brown colouring
- Dorso-ventrally flattened
- 'Tick-like' in appearance
- Wingless
- Strong legs and claws
Life cycle
- Whole life cycle spent on the host
- Adults may survive for 1 week off the host
- Single larvae laid on fleece which pupate
- Adult keds emerge a few weeks to a few months after pupating depending on environmental temperature
Pathogenesis
- Most numerous in autumn and winter
- Located in the superficial layers of the fleece
- This aids transmission
- Long wooled breeds are most susceptible to infection
- Cause anaemia
- Wool damage
- Irritation and self-inflicted damage
- Staining by ked faeces
- Intermediate host for non-pathogenic Trypanosoma melophagium in sheep
Control
- Sheep dipping and spraying
- Shearing to decrease numbers