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Louse flies (Diptera, Hippoboscidae) are ectoparasites often found on birds. As they spend most of their life on their host, they are not often collected or studied. Hence, little is known about their species richness and prevalence on raptors in Canada. In this study, louse flies were collected from 184 out of 1467 raptors examined during the 2020 fall migration in southern Ontario, Canada, giving an overall prevalence of 12.5%. In total, 256 louse fly specimens were collected (mean intensity = 1.41) representing four species (identified morphologically, with support of DNA barcoding): Icosta americana (91.9%), Ornithomya anchineuria (0.3%), O. avicularia (7.3%) and O. bequaerti (0.3%). Mite clusters were found on 42% of O. avicularia. This study also presents the first North American record for O. avicularia and the presence of O. bequaerti in Europe was confirmed for the first time. Based on the different parameters recorded during banding, it appears that the host species and the month play a part in the presence of louse flies on the host. Further study of louse flies is needed to better understand their prevalence across different bird groups and geographic distribution., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • The overall prevalence of louse flies on raptors was 12.5%. • Host species and month influence the presence of louse flies. • Ornithomya avicularia is recorded from North America for the first time. • Ornithomya bequaerti is confirmed for the first time from Europe. • Icosta americana was the most abundant louse fly (91.9%).

The available keys for European Hippoboscidae are outdated and do not cover all species currently known from Europe. Therefore, identification keys to the eleven genera and 31 species of the European hippoboscids are provided here. Ornithomya comosa (Austen, 1930) (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) is recorded for the first time from the territory of Slovakia based on one female found on a sand martin, Riparia riparia (Linnaeus, 1758). The list of keds and louse flies recorded from the territory of Slovakia is increased to 20 species. New host records for Slovakia are presented.

The parasitic louse fly Ornithomya comosa (Austen, 1930) (Diptera, Hippoboscidae), known from the Oriental Region (India, Thailand, Nepal and Peninsular Malaysia) and Asian part of the Palaearctic Region (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, West Siberia of Russia and Japan), is found for the first time in Europe and in the western part of Russia (Curonian Spit). Flies were collected from the swallow species Hirundo rustica (Linnaeus, 1758) and Delichon urbica (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hirundinidae). Two possible narratives for the occurrence of this fly in Europe are discussed.

Ectoparasites such as louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) have tendency for host specialization, which is driven by adaptation to host biology as well as competition avoidance between parasites of the same host. However, some louse fly species, especially in genera attacking birds, show wide range of suitable hosts. In the presented study, we have surveyed the current status of bird attacking louse flies in Finland to provide comprehensive host association data to analyse the ecological requirements of the generalist species. A thorough sampling of 9342 birds, representing 134 species, recovered 576 specimens of louse flies, belonging to six species: Crataerina hirundinis, C. pallida, Ornithomya avicularia, O. chloropus, O. fringillina and Ornithophila metallica. Despite some overlapping hosts, the three Ornithomya species showed a notable pattern in their host preference, which was influenced not only by the host size but also by the habitat and host breeding strategy. We also provide DNA barcodes for most Finnish species of Hippoboscidae, which can be used as a resource for species identification as well as metabarcoding studies in the future.

In this paper the authors consider sex ratio in populations of the bloodsucker of the genus Ornithomya Latreille located in the Vladimir and Murmansk Regions. During the ringing of birds since 2014 we have been collecting the bloodsucker flies parasitizing on them. For just four years in the Vladimir Region we have examined 12515 birds, from which 94 females and 17 males of the bloodsucker Ornithomya avicularia L., 1758, as well as 142 females and 37 males Ornithomya fringillina Curtis, 1836, were taken. On the territory of the Murmansk Region in 2016 and 2017 465 females and 91 males of Ornithomya chloropus Bergot, 1901 were collected from birds. As a result of our research we obtained and summarized original material on the composition of the sexual structure of the population in bloodsucker flies (Diptera, Hippoboscidae) belonging to the genus Ornithomya Latreille, 1802. Females dominate males in Ornithomya avicularia , Ornithomya chloropus and Ornithomya fringillina in populations located on the territory of the Vladimir and Murmansk Regions of the Russian Federation. The study of seasonal changes in the sexual structure of the above species showed a gradual decrease in the number of male individuals during the season.

The first comprehensive Kenyan hippoboscid checklist is presented. All reliable and available data of louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from Kenya are summarised. First records of two species of louse flies from Kenya are given: Icosta (Icosta) mecorrhina Maa, 1964 and Ornithomya marginalis Maa, 1964. A louse fly collected from Narina's Trogon Apaloderma narina (Stephens, 1815) is published for the first time. This list increases the Kenyan species-richness of the hippoboscid fauna to 22 species.

Ornithomya avicularia (LINNAEUS, 1758) OÖ, Sengsengebirge, Bodinggraben, 22.7.01. Neu für Oberösterreich., Published as part of Schlüsslmayr, Gerhard, 2018, Erstnachweise von Fliegen (Diptera) für Österreich und einige Bundesländer, pp. 765-800 in Linzer biologische Beiträge 50 (1) on page 799, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4004374

Hippoboscid flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) include species that are ectoparasites of birds in the Northern Hemisphere, but little is known regarding their taxonomy, parasites, avian host associations, or geographical distribution in North America. In late August of 2013 and 2014, we collected hippoboscid flies from live birds trapped in mist nets as part of a banding study in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in southeastern Alberta, Canada. A total of 113 birds comprising 9 species was examined in 2013. Of these, 18 individuals were infested with 1-3 Ornithomya anchineuria Speiser (n = 22 flies; prevalence = 15.9%). Eight of these flies carried 1-8 adult female epidermoptid mites anchored to their ventral, posterior abdomens. Each female was associated with clusters of up to 30 stalked eggs. The first pair of tarsi on adult female mites was highly modified as anchors, indicating permanent attachment through the host cuticle. Morphological traits identified these mites as Myialges cf. borealis Mironov, Skirnisson, Thorarinsdottier and Nielsen. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( COX1) gene sequences obtained for 2 mites were distinct from those previously reported for species of Myialges, being most similar to Myialges trinotoni Cooreman. The paucity of available gene sequences for Myialges and related genera of epidermoptid mites prevents any further conclusions regarding taxonomy. These findings extend previous reports of O. anchineuria from Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Canada inland to the central migratory flyway of the Northern Great Plains and expand the limited information available for Myialges spp.

ambigua Lutz, Neiva & Costa-Lima, 1915: 185, pl. 27, fig. 5, pl. 28, fig. 7 (Pseudornithomyia). Type locality: Brazil, Minas Gerais and Santa Catarina. ST 4 (CEIOC), but three specimens are apparently loose]. Distr.: Colombia (Antioquia (Valdivia), Santander Norte (Buenos Aires)), Venezuela, Brazil, Peru. Refs.: Bequaert, 1954: 156; Maa, 1963: 14, 1969d: 271 (checklist); Guimarães, 1968: 2 (cat.)., Published as part of Graciolli, Gustavo, 2016, FAMILY HIPPOBOSCIDAE, pp. 771-779 in Zootaxa 4122 (1) on page 773, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4122.1.65, http://zenodo.org/record/265846, {"references":["Lutz, A., Neiva, A. & Costa Lima, A. da (1915) Sobre \" Pupipara \" ou \" Hippoboscidae \" de aves brasileiras. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 7, 173 - 199, pls. 27 - 28. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1590 / s 0074 - 02761915000200003","Bequaert, J. C. (1954) The Hippoboscidae or louse-flies (Diptera) of mammals and birds Part II. Taxonomy, evolution and revision of American Genera and species. Entomologica Americana, New Series, 34, 1 - 232.","Maa, T. C. (1963) Genera and species of Hippoboscidae (Diptera): types, synonymy, habitats and natural groups. Pacific Insects Monographs, 6, 1 - 186.","Guimaraes, L. R. (1968) 101. Family Hippoboscidae. In: Papavero, N. (Ed.), A catalogue of the Diptera of the Americas south of the United States. Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, 7 pp."]}

One genus, Ornithoica Rondani, and two species, Ornithoica momiyamai Kishida, and O. unicolor Speiser, are reported for the first time from the Republic of Korea. A total of six species, including two new records, of louse flies were collected from 78 birds belonging to 35 species from Seoul and Incheon Metropolitan Areas and Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Gyeongsangbuk, Jeollabuk, and Jeollanam Provinces, 2005–2010. An updated checklist of Korean hippoboscids consisting of seven genera (Hippobosca L., Icosta Speiser, Lipoptena Nitzsch, Ornithoica Rondani, Ornithoctona Speiser, Ornithomya Lattreille, and Ornithophila Rondani) and 11 species is presented, including hosts, collection records, and repositories.

SYNOPSIS Two new species of the Ornithomya biloba-group are described, one from Kenya and the second from Madagascar, and a revised key to the African species of this group is given. Records of other African Hippoboscidae from birds are included.

Using molecular and morphological data, we investigate the validity of two hippoboscid species, viz. Ornithomya fringillina (Curtis) and O. chloropus (Bergroth) that are parapatric in northern Europe and had previously been synonymized. We study four morphological characters that had been proposed as diagnostic for species separation, but only one, relatively weak character (a gena marking), has discontinuous variation across the putative species. In order to collect more evidence for deciding on the species status, we sequenced an approximately 810 bp long region of COI for 13 specimens from sympatric populations. The signal from the sequences suggests that O. fringillina and O. chloropus are different species because the interspecifi c genetic distances between the taxa are twenty times larger than the intraspecifi c variability of O. fringillina. We argue that even a small number of sequences can yield signifi cant information on taxonomic issues as long as the specimens are predominantly collected for (1) those species/populations whose status is diffi cult to resolve based on morphological information and (2) those specimens that come from sympatric populations of the “problematic” species. (3) We also suggest that the status of a rare species can be adequately addressed with very few sequences as long as the intraspecifi c variability of more common, close relatives have been adequately assessed.

Hippoboscid flies were found on 62 (17%) of 382 northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) captured between April and September, 1986 through 1990. Two species of hippoboscids were identified: Icosta americana and Ornithomya anchineuria. Male and female adult spotted owls had similar prevalences and relative densities of hippoboscid flies. Juvenile owls had lower prevalence and relative densities than adults. There were no significant differences in mean intensity of hippoboscids on adult male, adult female and juvenile spotted owls. Relative densities of flies infesting adult owls were significantly greater during years of increased fall temperatures, decreased winter precipitation, and decreased summer temperatures.

Three species of hippoboscid flies were collected from landbirds captured on Bon Portage Island, a small island off the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia. Of the 73 hippoboscids collected, 67 specimens were Ornithomya anchineuria, 5 were Icosta americana and 1 was Ornithoica vicina. One speci- men of 0. anchineuria was collected from a boreal chickadee and one from a red breasted nuthatch, species which have not previously been recorded as hosts for this hippoboscid species. Juvenile birds were infested more heavily than adult birds. A total infestation rate of 5.74 % was found on Bon Portage Island. In the fall of 1995 and 1996, a study was undertaken to capture and band landbirds on Bon Portage Island, a migration stopover site in Nova Scotia. In the first field season of the study, it was observed that many of these birds were hosts to at least three species of parasitic flies of the family Hippobos- cidae: Ornithomya anchineuria (previously called Ornithomya fringillina), Ornithoica vicina (previously misidentified as Ornithoica confluenta), and Icosta americana (previously Lynchia americana). Adult hippoboscid flies (also called hippoboscids, flatflies, or louseflies) are ectoparasites of birds and mammals and feed entirely on the blood of the host. They spend their adult life within the feathers or fur of the host, a habitat for which they are well suited. All hippoboscids are dorsoventrally flattened and move sideways through the host's feathers with ease. However, none is a particularly strong flier, and once they leave the host they are easily captured. Bequaert (1953a, 1953b), Corbet (1956), Askew (1971), and Maa and Peterson (1987) review hippoboscid fly biology. Although hippoboscid flies have been well studied in other parts of

The ♀♀ of Strelkoviacarus quadratus (Haller), S. critesi Spory, Microlichus avus (Trouessart), Mi. uncus Vitzthum, Myialges macdonaldi Evans et al. and My. anchora Sergent & Trouessart are redescribed, illustrated and keyed. The first five species were collected at Gibraltar Point and Fair Isle Bird Observatories, Britain, from Ornithomya flies taken from birds. My. anchora is included on the basis of records in the literature. Only adult ♀♀ mites were collected from flies. Different birds, and sometimes different flies, were preferred as hosts by the various mites. The mites were topographically separated on the flies. Some were invariably accompanied by eggs, while others were not. Also, there were definite seasonal variations in abundance which generally correlated with the seasonal occurrence of the flies on the hosts. All of the mites are assumed to be primarily skin or feather parasites of birds. In some cases adult ♀♀ are phoretic on the flies whereas in others they are hyperparasitic. The association of mites-flies-birds is the chief means of dispersal of mites from bird to bird.

The African forms of the genus Ornithomya Latr. are briefly reviewed. Altogether 8 species in 3 groups are recognized as distinct, and O. marginalis (Natal, S. Africa) and O. Papillosa (Kivu, Congo), described as new. A synoptic key to the species and groups and short discussion on the faunal affinities are included.

Ectoparasites such as louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) have tendency for host specialization, which is driven by adaptation to host biology as well as competition avoidance between parasites of the same host. However, some louse fly species, especially in genera attacking birds, show wide range of suitable hosts. In the presented study, we have surveyed the current status of bird specific louse flies in Finland to provide comprehensive host association data to analyse the ecological requirements of the generalist species. A thorough sampling of 9342 birds, representing 134 species, recovered 576 specimens of louse flies, belonging to six species: Crataerina hirundinis, C. pallida, Ornithomya avicularia, O. chloropus, O. fringillina and Ornithophila metallica. Despite some overlapping hosts, the three Ornithomya species showed a notable pattern in their host preference, which was influenced not only by the host size but also by the habitat and host breeding strategy. We also provide DNA barcodes for ten Finnish species of Hippoboscidae, which can be used as a resource for species identification as well as metabarcoding studies in the future.