h 
t 
The SHEEP TICK or KED 
(Melophagus ovinus) 
1. Adult Female 
2. Egg or 
Puparium 
3. Egg, showing - 
larva inside 
4. Sucking Tube’ 
5. End of sucking 
tube, showing 
orifice 
(4 & 5 greatly 
enlarged) 
THE SHEEP TICK or KED pierces the skin with its sucking 
‚ tube to obtain the blood, and in doing so injects a fluid into the 
wound that causes intense irritation to the sheep, Sheep so bitten 
go off their feed, lose condition and grow less wool. ' The Keds 
also stain the wool and thereby reduce its market value. 
