Definition

Noun: * A wingless fly that is an external parasite on sheep and cattle: A small, flightless insect that lives on the skin of sheep and cattle, feeding on their blood. It is also commonly known as the sheep tick, though it is a true fly (a louse fly), not a tick.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer treated the flock for sheep keds to prevent irritation and wool damage.
  • A heavy infestation of sheep keds can cause anemia in young lambs.
  • The veterinarian identified the parasite as Melophagus ovinus, the scientific name for the sheep ked.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Context: In entomology and veterinary science, the term is used precisely to refer to the species . It is distinguished from other ectoparasites like lice, mites, and true ticks.
  • The life cycle of the sheep ked is spent entirely on the host animal.

Variants and Related Words

• Sheep tick (n): A common alternative name for the sheep ked. (Note: This can be confusing as it is not a true tick).
• Melophagus ovinus (n): The scientific, binomial name for the sheep ked.
• Ked (n): A more general term for any wingless, blood-feeding fly of the family Hippoboscidae, which are parasites on birds and mammals.
• Louse fly (n): The common name for the family Hippoboscidae, to which the sheep ked belongs.

Synonyms

• Parasitic fly: A general term describing its biological function.
• Ectoparasite: A general term for a parasite that lives on the exterior of its host.

Related Phrases

• Ked infestation: The condition of an animal host being parasitized by sheep keds.
  • The main symptom of a ked infestation is restless behavior and rubbing.

Noun

1. wingless fly that is an external parasite on sheep and cattle