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FliesThese were all over me. Is this a parasite?
My last two weeks in the woods backpacking, I have been finding these bugs all over me and in my gear. Some of them have wings so I didn’t think they were ticks, but I have no idea if they are another type of parasite or just looking for warm moist places to hang out. Another intersting thing is that something about their legs allows them to grip clothing, so they do not fall off of anyhting. Maybe some kind of hair or barb? Any help?
Patrick
Hi Patrick,
This is a Louse Fly in the Family Hippoboscidae. They are winged but have feeble wings that drop off after they land on a host, usually a deer, where they suck blood and live as ectoparasites.
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