Deer Ked vs Turkey Gnat
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Deer Ked | Turkey Gnat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lipoptena cervi | Simulium meridionale |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Hippoboscidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, introduced to North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Deer Ked
A flattened, reddish-brown blood-sucking fly that sheds its wings upon finding a deer host. It clings tenaciously to the hair with strong claws and feeds on blood throughout its life.
Did You Know?
After landing on a host, it breaks off its own wings permanently, spending the rest of its life as a wingless ectoparasite.
Turkey Gnat
A black fly notorious for swarming livestock in the southern United States. Larvae attach to rocks in swift streams using silken pads and posterior hooks.
Did You Know?
Massive swarms historically caused turkey and livestock deaths in the Mississippi Valley through blood loss and allergic reactions.