Overview
A study focusing on deer keds, a type of biting fly, details a specific life-cycle adaptation that occurs once the fly has identified and landed on a host organism. This adaptation involves a permanent morphological change characterized by the shedding of wings, after which the keds adopt a terrestrial mode of locomotion and feeding.
Research Context
Deer keds are distributed across various continents, specifically Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Their typical hosts are deer, but they have also been observed to parasitize humans and other mammalian species. The initial phase of their host-seeking behavior involves the utilization of both visual capabilities and flight, which are essential for locating a suitable host.
Findings
The research indicates a distinct behavioral and physiological shift in deer keds immediately following host acquisition. Once a deer ked successfully lands on a host, it undergoes a irreversible process of wing detachment. After shedding its wings, the fly no longer utilizes aerial locomotion. Instead, its subsequent movement is characterized by crawling through the host's fur. The findings specify that this phase of the deer ked's life cycle is dedicated to feeding on blood, a activity that continues for the duration of its remaining life.