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sheep ked| Wingless insect that is an external parasite of sheep, feeding on their blood. |
| Adult keds are particularly well-adapted to clinging to their hosts; they are flattened dorso-ventrally and their legs end in claws. The female fly, which lacks wings, deposits 10–15 larvae which she cements to the sheep's fleece. The oval-shaped, nonmotile larvae pupate almost instantaneously while still attached to the host. The newly emerged adults suck the sheep's blood. The sheep react to these irritations by scratching and thus damage their wool. In addition the keds defecate on the wool, which lowers its quality. Dipping the sheep regularly removes the keds. |
Classification The sheep ked Melophagus ovinus is in family Hippoboscidae, suborder Cyclorrhapha, order Diptera, class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda. |
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