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Lipoptena depressa - Deer Ked, Deer Louse Fly
Hippoboscidae
Northern California, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

Hippobiscid flies are specialized external parasites of birds and mammals.  In spite of their flattened tick-like appearance, these insects are actually related to house flies.

 
USA CA: Nevada Co.  Empire Mine State Historic Park, Grass Valley.  14.v.2005  39º12.89'N 121º02.51'W, 760m.
On fresh deer kill, Riparian forest.

This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS D60, with a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.