Melophagus ovinus

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