General Description

Body flat with a small abdomen and muscular legs. Body up to 1 cm long.

Biology

Louse Flies are blood-sucking parasites of mammals or birds, hiding in the fur or feathers of their host to feed. They can infest farmed sheep, causing anaemia and wool staining in the animal which results in economic losses.

Distribution

South-western and eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Habitat

On mammal or bird hosts.

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