Difference between revisions of "Melophagus ovinus"
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| + | =Melophagus ovinus= | ||
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| − | + | {{Taxobox | |
| − | + | |name =Melophagus spp | |
| − | + | |kingdom =Animalia | |
| − | + | |phylum =Arthropoda | |
| − | + | |class =Insecta | |
| − | + | |sub-class = | |
| − | + | |order =Diptera | |
| − | + | |super-family = | |
| − | + | |family =Hippoboscidae | |
| − | + | |sub-family = | |
| − | + | |genus =Melophagus | |
| − | + | |species ='''''M. ovinus''''' | |
| − | + | }} | |
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| − | + | ==Hosts== | |
| − | + | Sheep. | |
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| − | + | ==Identification== | |
| + | The adults are hairy, brown and around 6mm in length. They have an segemented abdomen, and are wingless. ''M. ovinus'' has blood sucking mouthparts, and claws on the ends of the legs, designed to hold on to the host. They are dorso-ventrally flattened. | ||
| − | + | ==Life Cycle== | |
| + | They are permanent ectoparasites, feeding on the host. The female fly produce a single larvae at a time, and the larvae are held back until they are ready to pupate. The larvae then undergo three larval stages before becoming fully developed. Pupation of the larvae occurs, and they are clearly seen on the fleeces of the sheep. These then later emerge as adults. | ||
Revision as of 09:07, 28 July 2010
Melophagus ovinus
| Also known as: | Sheep Ked |
| Melophagus spp | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Diptera |
| Family | Hippoboscidae |
| Genus | Melophagus |
| Species | M. ovinus |
Hosts
Sheep.
Identification
The adults are hairy, brown and around 6mm in length. They have an segemented abdomen, and are wingless. M. ovinus has blood sucking mouthparts, and claws on the ends of the legs, designed to hold on to the host. They are dorso-ventrally flattened.
Life Cycle
They are permanent ectoparasites, feeding on the host. The female fly produce a single larvae at a time, and the larvae are held back until they are ready to pupate. The larvae then undergo three larval stages before becoming fully developed. Pupation of the larvae occurs, and they are clearly seen on the fleeces of the sheep. These then later emerge as adults.
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