Sheep Ked vs African Ladybird Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sheep Ked | African Ladybird Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melophagus ovinus | Cheilomenes propinqua |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Hippoboscidae | Coccinellidae |
| Size | 4-7 mm | 4-7 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan - worldwide where sheep are raised | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sheep Ked
A completely wingless, tick-like blood-sucking fly that lives permanently in sheep wool. Its flattened body and strong claws allow it to cling firmly to wool fibers.
Did You Know?
Despite being called a ked or tick, it is actually a true fly that has completely lost its wings through evolution.
African Ladybird Beetle
A small, dome-shaped beetle with variable black and orange-red patterns. It is a voracious predator of aphids and is used as a biological control agent in East African agriculture.
Did You Know?
A single ladybird can consume up to 5,000 aphids during its lifetime, making it one of the most valuable natural pest control agents.