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Glite Dictionary
Hippoboscidae

Hippoboscidae

9.9
A small fly that lives on birds and mammals and drinks their blood
  • noun
  • /ˌhɪpəˈbɒsɪˌdeɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Hippoboscidae
  • Hippoboscidae are commonly found on sheep, birds, or other mammals, where they survive by feeding on blood.

Examples

  • Some members of the Hippoboscidae family have lost their wings through adaptation to a parasitic lifestyle.

  • Veterinary scientists often study Hippoboscidae to understand the diseases they can transmit to livestock.

  • The Hippoboscidae family includes several species of parasitic flies.

  • Birds often suffer from infestations of Hippoboscidae flies.

  • Many species of Hippoboscidae can be harmful to birds, as they feed on their blood and can transmit diseases.

  • The Hippoboscidae are often seen clinging to their hosts, where they can be observed feeding.

  • Farmers must regularly check their livestock for Hippoboscidae infestations that could affect their health.

Synonyms

louse fly
vsHippoboscidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A small insect that sucks blood and lives in feathers or fur

is the scientific family grouping for those parasitic flies some lacking wings

Surface Forms

Hippoboscidae singular
Hippoboscidae plural

Morphology

Hippoboscidae = Hippobosca (opaque) = Hippobosca + idae

The formation uses a Latin taxonomic suffix and a genus name that are not familiar to average learners, so the meaning is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Hippoboscidae comes from Greek parts hippo- meaning 'horse' (the same 'hippo' in hippopotamus) and bosk- meaning 'to feed'. So it originally meant 'horse-feeders' and now names a family of bloodsucking flies that live on horses, birds, and other mammals.