hippoboscid

Thân thiện

A bird preens its feathers to remove a small hippoboscid.

Definition

Noun A hippoboscid is a type of bloodsucking fly belonging to the family Hippoboscidae. These flies are parasitic, meaning they live on and feed from the blood of birds and mammals.

Usage

The word "hippoboscid" is a scientific term used primarily in entomology (the study of insects) and zoology. It refers specifically to an insect of this parasitic family. * The veterinarian identified the parasite as a hippoboscid. * Hippoboscids are also commonly known as louse flies or keds.

Examples

• The hippoboscid was firmly attached to the deer's hide.
• Researchers studied the life cycle of the hippoboscid.
• A common hippoboscid affecting poultry is the pigeon fly.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used attributively (like an adjective) in compound nouns to specify types, e.g., hippoboscid fly.

Variants and Related Words

• Hippoboscidae: (noun, plural) The scientific family name for this group of flies.
• Louse fly: (noun) A common name for hippoboscids.
• Ked: (noun) A common name for certain hippoboscids, especially those infesting sheep.
• Parasitic: (adjective) Describing an organism like a hippoboscid that lives on a host.
• Dipteran: (noun) A member of the order Diptera (true flies), which includes hippoboscids.

Synonyms

• Louse fly
• Ked
• Parasitic fly

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning is fixed: a parasitic, bloodsucking fly of the family Hippoboscidae. There are no significantly different common meanings, only the scientific classification and the related common names (louse fly, ked).

Học thuật

Noun

1. bloodsucking dipterous fly parasitic on birds and mammals

Từ đồng nghĩa

• louse fly