Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- di- "two", and πτερόν pteron "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwings having evolved into advanced mechanosensory organs known as halteres, which act as high-speed sensors of rotational movement and allow dipterans to perform advanced aerobatics. Diptera is a large order containing an estimated 1,000,000 species including horse-flies, crane flies, hoverflies and others, although only about 125,000 species have been described.
Hippoboscoidea is a superfamily of the Calyptratae. The flies in this superfamily are blood-feeding obligate parasites of their hosts. Four families are often placed here:
Hippoboscidae, the louse flies or keds, are obligate parasites of mammals and birds. In this family, the winged species can fly at least reasonably well, though others with vestigial or no wings are flightless and highly apomorphic. As usual in their superfamily Hippoboscoidea, most of the larval development takes place within the mother's body, and pupation occurs almost immediately.
Nycteribiidae is a family of the true fly superfamily Hippoboscoidea are known as "bat flies", together with their close relatives the Streblidae. As the latter do not seem to be a monophyletic group, it is conceivable that bat flies cannot be united into a single family.
Crataerina pallida, the swift lousefly, is a species of biting fly in the family of louse flies Hippoboscidae. These flies are commonly encountered in the nests of the common swift in Europe and Asia.
Crataerina is a genus of louse flies in the family Hippoboscidae. All are parasites of birds, feeding on the blood of various species of Apodidae (swifts) and Hirundinidae. The genus is sometimes spelled Craterina.
Hippoboscinae is a subfamily of the fly family Hippoboscidae. All are parasitic, and unlike some other members of the Hippoboscidae, all Hippoboscinae are winged species.
Hippobosca equina, also known as the forest fly or New Forest fly, is a biting fly from the family Hippoboscidae. They are blood-feeding ectoparasites of primarily horses and other large mammals including cattle. It is a permanently fully winged fly, not shedding its wings on finding its host, as in some other Hippoboscidae. With its wings retained, it may thus fly away from its host to deposit its larvae. They are good fliers.
Pseudolynchia canariensis, the pigeon louse fly or pigeon fly, is a species of biting fly in the family of louse flies, Hippoboscidae.
Ortholfersia is a genus of biting flies in the family of louse flies, Hippoboscidae. There are 4 known species. All species are parasites of macropods.
Allobosca is a genus of biting flies in the family of louse flies, Hippoboscidae. There is only one known species, Allobosca crassipesSpeiser, 1899. It is a parasite of lemurs. It has only rudimentary wings.
Austrolfersia is a genus of biting flies in the family of louse flies, Hippoboscidae. There is only one known species, Austrolfersia ferrisiBequaert, 1953. It is a parasite of Diprotodontia.
Olfersia is a genus of biting flies in the family of louse flies, Hippoboscidae. The genus was erected by William Elford Leach in 1817. There are seven known species, and all are parasites of birds.
Ornithophila are a genus of biting flies in the family of louse flies, Hippoboscidae. There are two known species. Both species are parasites of birds.
Proparabosca is a genus of biting flies in the family of louse flies, Hippoboscidae. There is only one known species, Proparabosca alata(Theodor & Oldroyd, 1965). It is a parasite of lemurs.
Ornithomyinae is a subfamily of the fly family Hippoboscidae. All are blood feeding parasites, for the most part on birds, though some have mammals as hosts.
Crataerina melbae is a species of biting fly in the family of louse flies Hippoboscidae. Its hosts are swift species including the Alpine, Pacific, Common and mottled swifts.
Nycteribia kolenatii is a species of fly in the family Nycteribiidae. It is found in the Palearctic.
Ornithomya fringillina is a species of fly in the family Hippoboscidae. It is found in the Palearctic.
Ornithomya avicularia is a species of fly in the family Hippoboscidae. It is found in the Palearctic. The species prefers tree-dwelling birds as hosts.
