Hippoboscidae are commonly known as what?

• A. Blow Flies
• B. Clear Winged Moths
• C. Louse Flies
• D. Tortrix Moths

Answer: (C)

Hippoboscidae are a family of Diptera that are ectoparasites on birds and mammals. They are commonly called louse flies because their lifestyle resembles that of lice: they cling to hosts and feed on blood. Many species have bodies that are flattened, allowing them to move through feathers or fur, and some lose or reduce their wings after finding a host, becoming effectively wingless parasites. This name directly reflects their parasitic habit and habit of living on the host, rather than any particular appearance or behavior of other insects.

Blow flies are large, often metallic flies attracted to decaying matter. Clear-winged moths are moths with transparent wings that resemble wasps, and tortrix moths are small leaf-roller moths. These groups are unrelated to Hippoboscidae, which is why louse flies is the correct common name.