67 



Genus 



MELOPHAGUS, Latreille. 



Melophagus ovinus, Linn. 



The Sheep " Tick," Slieep " Louse," or Ked. 

 Plate 34, Fig. 2. 



A higher degree of adaptation to a parasitic existence is exhibited 

 by this species than by any of the foregoing members of the Family 

 to which it belongs, since the wings are always entirely wanting in 

 both sexes. This peculiarity, coupled with the general strangeness 

 of its appearance, which presents little resemblance to an ordinary fl\', 

 and the fact that it passes its whole life-c\-cle in the wool of the sheep, 

 has gained for the insect two of the popular names mentioned above. 

 The late Miss Ormerod (' Report of the Observations of Injurious 

 Insects and Common Farm Pests, during the year 1895 ' (London : 

 Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Ltd., 1896), p. 120) states 

 that " when seen in the wool " Sheep Ticks " greatly resemble small 

 spiders," though, of course, the presence of onl}- three pairs of legs is 

 sufficient to show that the creatures must be insects. The Sheep Tick 

 does not possess the activity of the Forest Fly, but moves quite slowl}' 

 and quietly through the wool of the host, to which, when not in 

 excessive numbers, it may cause little annoyance. Dr. Parry, however 

 (quoted by Youatt in 'The Mountain Shepherd's Manual' (1862), 

 p. 35), says that JSIclopIiagus oviniis'' is extremely injurious to sheep, 

 by making the animal bite and rub itself, so as not only to hurt the 

 fleece, but to break the skin, in consequence of which the fl}' [Luci/ia 

 sericata, Mg.] is apt to fi.x on the wool near the wounded spot and 

 there deposit its eggs." 



The Sheep Ticks in the Museum collection were taken during May 

 and June, i.e., at shearing-time, but Curtis belie\-es that the insect is to 



