Melophagus

Melophagus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Section:	Schizophora
Subsection:	Calyptratae
Superfamily:	Hippoboscoidea
Family:	Hippoboscidae
Subfamily:	Lipopteninae
Genus:	Melophagus Latreille, 1802
Type species
Hippobosca ovina Linnaeus, 1758
Species
3. See text

Melophagus is a genus of biting flies in the family of louse flies, Hippoboscidae. There are 3 known species and one subspecies.^[1] All are parasite of Bovines.^[2] All are wingless.

Distribution

They are native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. M. ovinus ovinus has been introduced to most parts of the world where domestic sheep are kept.

Hosts

All are parasites of cloven-hoofed mammals - Family Bovidae. Including domestic sheep, domestic cattle, the Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), Alpine Ibex (Capra ibex), The Yak (Bos grunniens), plus doubtful records on Argali (Ovis ammon), Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) and Dall Sheep (Ovis dalli).^[2]

Systematics

• Genus Melophagus Latreille, 1802

• M. antilopes (Pallas, 1777)
• M. ovinus ovinus (Linnaeus, 1758)

• M. ovinus himalayae Maa, 1969

• M. rupicaprinus Róndani, 1879

References

1. ^ Dick, C. W. (2006). Checklist of World Hippoboscidae (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea).. Chicago: Department of Zoology, Field Museum of Natural History. pp. 1–7pp. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Maa,T. C. (1969). "A Revised Checklist and Concise Host Index of Hippoboscidae (Diptera)". Pacific Insects Monograph (Honolulu: Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii) 20: 261–299pp.