Lipoptena cervi, the
deer ked or
deer fly, is a species of biting
fly in the family of louse flies,
Hippoboscidae. These flies are commonly encountered in
temperate areas of
Europe,
Siberia and
Northern China. It has been introduced to North America.
[2] They are parasites of
elk,
deer and other
bovine animals, sucking blood and laying eggs in the fur of the host animals.
L. cervi is relatively small, adults usually being 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in) in length and are brownish in colour. Their body is flat and elastic, making their removal difficult.
L. cervi is a poor flier and can only fly for short distances. Once the insect reaches its target, it sheds its wings and starts burrowing through the fur.
L. cervi can be a nuisance, but are generally harmless. They will not reproduce on any other host than deer. They will however bite humans, and the bites are said to be painful and may casue an allergic skin reaction. Initially the bite may be barely noticeable and leaves little or no trace. Within 3 days, the site develops into a hard, reddened welt. The accompanying itch is intense and typically lasts 14 to 20 days. Occasionally, an
itch papule may persist for a year
[3]. The main annoyance in humans is the inconvenience and unpleasantness of removing keds from hair and clothes.
Horses have been attacked, with severe symptoms of colic as a result
[4]. Dogs that are bitten may develop a moderate to severe dermatitis
[4]. Findings in
Finland have found that
L. cervi can carry and spread the
Bartonella bacterium Bartonella schoenbuchensis in Deer.
[3]
Remains of
Lipoptena cervi have been found on
Ötzi, the Stone Age mummy from the
Schnalstal glacier in the
Italian Tyrol
Both males and females of
Lipoptena cervi consume blood from their hosts, feeding lasts 15 to 25 minutes
[3]. The female produces one
larva at a time and retains the developing larva in her body until it is ready to pupate. The larva feeds on the secretions of a "milk gland" in the uterus of its mother. The female will give birth to one fully mature white pre-pupa. She may produce larvae for as long as 10 months. A newborn pre-pupa will immediately darken, form the puparium and begin to pupate pupae on the forest floor, or where the deer bedded. After pupation, the winged adult emerges from the puparium and flies in search of a host. Upon finding a host the adult fly wings breaks off and it is permanently associated with its host.
[6]
Hosts
Red Deer,
moose,
roe Deer,
fallow Deer and
siberian Musk Deer Linn. In the United States it has acquired
hosts such as
elk,
white-tailed deer and
reindeer.
[6][7]. There are stray records of bites on
humans, dogs
[10] and
badger, and will occasionally commit to the wrong host.
[9]