ABSTRACT
Hippoboscidae is a family of hematophagous ectoparasitic flies of mammals and birds, commonly known as louse flies. In Brazil, 30 species have been previously recorded, of which three parasitize mammals and 27 parasitize birds. Few studies have documented the occurrence of these flies in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which currently counts 11 bird-parasitizing species. In this work, we report hippoboscid flies associated with avian hosts in Minas Gerais. Birds were captured using mist nets across five forest fragments in the Zona da Mata region during field campaigns conducted between 2013 and 2017. Avian hosts were examined for the presence of ectoparasites, and louse flies were collected using fine tweezers. Morphological photographs were taken, and morphometric measurements and a diagnostic assessment were performed for our sample of Ornithomya ambigua (Lutz, Neiva & Costa-Lima, 1915). In total, we examined 2,226 birds belonging to 133 species, of which 24 individuals were parasitized. We collected 30 louse flies belonging to five species within the subfamily Ornithomyinae. Our morphometric measurements of O. ambigua are in agreement with previous studies. Although these five louse fly species had already been recorded for Minas Gerais, six new host-parasite interactions were documented, including the first record of any hippoboscid in three bird species and two Passeriformes genera. Furthermore, we recorded O. ambigua after 95 years without records in Brazil and 53 years since its last record globally. Our results expand the knowledge on this poorly studied group of ectoparasites.
KEYWORDS:
Ectoparasite; host interaction; louse flies; Ornithomyinae; Zona da Mata
INTRODUCTION
Hippoboscid flies are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that exploit mammals and birds throughout their cosmopolitan distribution (Maa and Peterson 1987). In Brazil, the family is currently represented by three mammal-para sitizing species and 27 bird-parasitizing species distributed across eight genera (Graciolli and Laps 2024, Graciolli 2025). Among the species documented in the country, Ornithomya ambigua was originally described by Lutz et al. (1915) under a new genus, Pseudornithomya. Subsequently, Bequaert (1954) synonymized Pseudornithomya as a subgenus of Ornithomya Latreille, while describing an additional species within this subgenus, O. hoffmannae. Since the comprehensive review by Bequaert (1954), only a single record of O. ambigua has been published in the literature, which documented its occurrence on a swallow in Venezuela in 1972 (Collins 2010). In addition to their cryptic ectoparasitic lifestyle, hippoboscids are of significant veterinary and ecological concern due to their role as vectors for various avian pathogens, including blood parasites and viruses, which can severely impact host fitness.
Few host-parasite interactions involving bird louse flies have been reported from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in recent years (Barino et al. 2021; Nogueira et al. 2021, 2023). This scarcity of data is particularly critical in regions like the Zona da Mata, a highly fragmented landscape within the Atlantic Forest biome where intense anthropogenic pressure and habitat loss may disrupt historical host-parasite dynamics. Currently, the state counts with 11 confirmed bird-parasitizing hippoboscid species: Icosta albipennis (Say, 1823), Icosta americana (Leach, 1817), Icosta angustifrons (Wulp, 1903), Microlynchia pusilla (Speiser, 1902), Olfersia bisulcata Macquart, 1847, Ornithoctona erythrocephala (Leach, 1817), Ornithoctona fusciventris (Wiedemann, 1830), Ornithoi ca vicina (Walker, 1849), Ornithomya ambigua (Lutz, Neiva and Costa-Lima, 1915), Pseudolynchia canariensis (Macquart, 1840), and Stilbometopa podopostyla Speiser, 1904 (Graciolli and Laps 2024, Graciolli 2025).
Herein, we present new louse fly records obtained from a four-year field survey conducted in the southeastern region of the state of Minas Gerais. Our findings include six new host-parasite interactions and a significant rediscovery of Ornithomya ambigua, representing the first record of this species in Brazil after 95 years and the first global report in 53 years.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Study area and sample collection
The field investigation was carried out across five forest fragments in the Zona da Mata region, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1): Jardim Botânico da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (JB-UFJF; 21°43’50.9”S; 43°22’20.0”W) and Granja Passarada (GPASS; 21°48’24.7”S; 43°19’34.0”W), both located in the municipality of Juiz de Fora; Sítio Vista Alegre (SVA; 21°48’22.9”S; 43°15’45.0”W), also in Juiz de Fora; Fazenda Volta Grande (FVG; 21°58’51.6”S; 43°41’46.0”W), in the municipality of Santa Bárbara do Monte Verde; and Estação Ecológica de Água Limpa (EEAL; 21°22’19.1”S; 42°43’14.5”W), in the municipality of Cataguases. All sampling localities are situated within the Atlantic Forest domain and are characterized by a seasonal tropical climate according to the Köppen classification, exhibiting dry winters from April to September and rainy summers from October to March, with moderately high temperatures throughout the year (“Cwa” for JB-UFJF, GPASS, SVA, and FVG; “Aw” for EEAL).
Sampling localities in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: (1) Santa Bárbara do Monte Verde, Fazenda Volta Grande (21°58’51.6”S, 43°41’46.0”W); (2) Juiz de Fora, Jardim Botânico (21°43’50.9”S, 43°22’20.0”W); (3) Juiz de Fora, Granja Passarada (21°48’24.7”S, 43°19’34.0”W); (4) Juiz de Fora, Sítio Vista Alegre (21°48’22.9”S, 43°15’45.0”W); (5) Cataguases, Estação Ecológica Água Limpa (21°22’19.1”S, 42°43’14.5”W).
Host capture and processing
Avian hosts were sampled between March 2013 and September 2017 during field campaigns lasting from three to five consecutive days per month. Sampling effort varied across localities: 24 campaigns were conducted at JB-UFJF (14 during the dry season, 10 during the rainy season); one campaign during the dry season at GPASS; three campaigns at SVA (one dry, two rainy); five campaigns at FVG (three dry, two rainy); and 10 campaigns at EEAL (six dry, four rainy). Birds were captured using up to 10 mist nets (12 × 3 m and 16 mm mesh size) deployed along linear transects within each forest fragment. Mist nets were operated during two distinct daily periods: at dawn (06:00 am to 11:00 am) and at dusk (03:00 pm to 06:00 pm). Captured birds were identified following specific ornithological guides (Van Perlo 2009, Sigrist 2014, Ridgely et al. 2015), ringed with official metal bands supplied by the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Aves Silvestres (CEMAVE), and subsequently released. Avian nomenclature and taxonomic classification follow Remsen et al. (2025).
Ectoparasite collection and identification
Each captured bird was carefully inspected for approxi mately five minutes to detect the presence of hippoboscid flies. Ectoparasites were collected using fine tweezers, transferred to microtubes filled with 70% ethanol, and labeled according to the host individual. Louse flies were examined under a stereomicroscope and identified to species level using the taxonomic keys provided by Bequaert (1954), Maa (1969a), and Wood (2010). Morphological terminology follows Bequaert (1954). High-resolution photographs were taken using a Leica M205C photomicroscope equipped with the Leica Application Suite software at the digital imaging laboratory of the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Brazil. Morphometric measurements of the Ornithomya ambigua specimens were obtained digitally using ImageJ software (Rasband 1997-2025). All examined specimens were deposited in the Zoological Collection of the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (ZUFMS). Morphological terminology follows Bequaert (1954).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
We captured 2,226 birds belonging to 133 species, 25 families, and 10 orders. Among these, 24 individuals across four orders, 10 families, 11 genera, and 12 species were parasitized. A total of 30 ectoparasites were collected, all belonging to five species within the subfamily Ornithomyinae (Fig. 2).
Hippoboscidae collected in Minas Gerais. (A-C) Female dorsal view: (A) Icosta americana; (B) Microlynchia pusilla (C) Ornithoctona erythrocephala. (D, E) Male dorsal view: (D) Ornithoica vicina; (E) Ornithomya ambigua. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.
Most studies focusing on the Neotropical Hippoboscidae fauna were concentrated in the last century (Lutz et al. 1915, Bequaert 1954, Maa 1963, 1969b). In Brazil, only the louse flies from the state of Paraná have been intensively studied, resulting in a comprehensive revision of the regional fauna (Graciolli and Carvalho 2003). Furthermore, few other studies in the country have reported the occurrence of hippoboscids (Graciolli and Bispo 2005, Silva and Pichorim 2013, Vaz and Teixeira 2016, Moreira et al. 2019, Barino et al. 2021, Pinheiro et al. 2021, Nogueira et al. 2023, Teixeira et al. 2023), leaving the hippoboscid fauna of Brazil heavily underestimated. In Minas Gerais, previous studies sampled louse flies from pigeons, birds of prey, and wildlife in gene ral, reporting only one, two, and three species, respectively (Barino et al. 2021, Nogueira et al. 2021, 2023). Although the five species reported herein had already been recorded in Minas Gerais, several new host-parasite interactions were documented, expanding our knowledge of this poorly studied group.
Below, we present taxonomic accounts for each recorded bird louse fly species, including details on the material exami ned, geographic distribution, and host-parasite interactions.
Icosta (Ornithoponus) americana (Leach, 1817)
Material examined. BRAZIL • 1 ♀ on Tyto furcata (Temminck) (Strigiformes: Strigidae); Minas Gerais, Zona da Mata; 10 Nov. 2012; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03965.
Remarks. This is a polyxenous species with a wide distribution throughout the Americas (Maa 1969a, Graciolli and Laps 2024). In Brazil, the host association between I. ameri cana and T. furcata (= T. alba) was historically recorded in the states of São Paulo and Santa Catarina (Bequaert 1955).
Microlynchia pusilla (Speiser)
Material examined. BRAZIL • 1 ♂ on Columbina talpacoti (Temminck) (Columbiformes: Columbidae); Minas Gerais, Juiz de Fora, Jardim Botânico da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; 21°22’19.1”S, 42°43’14.5”W; 27 Mar. 2015; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03973 • 1 ♀ on Leptotila verreauxi Bonaparte (Columbiformes: Columbidae); same locality; 24 Jul. 2013; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03968 • 1 ♀ on Turdus rufiventris Vieillot (Passeriformes: Turdidae); same locality; 23 Feb. 2014; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03970 • 1 ♀ on T. rufiventris; same locality; 24 Mar. 2015; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03971 • 1 ♂ on T. rufiventris; same locality; 26 Mar. 2015; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03972 • 1 ♂ on T. rufiventris; same locality; 01 Dec. 2015; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03974 • 1 ♂ on T. rufiventris; same locality; 02 Dec. 2015; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03975 • 1 ♂ on T. rufiventris; same locality; 12 Apr. 2016; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03976 • 2 ♂ on T. rufiventris; same locality; 11 Apr. 2016; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03977 • 3 ♂ and 1 ♀ on Turdus rufiventris Vieillot (Passeriformes: Turdidae); Minas Gerais, Juiz de Fora, Sítio Vista Alegre; 21°48’22.9”S, 43°15’45.0”W; 24 Jun. 2013; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03966 • 1 ♀ on T. leucomelas; same locality; 26 Jun. 2013; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03967 • 1 ♀ on T. rufiventris; state of Minas Gerais, Juiz de Fora, Granja Passarada; 21°48’24.7”S, 43°19’34.0”W; 23 Sept. 2013; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03969 • 1 ♂ on T. leucomelas; state of Minas Gerais, Cataguases, Estação Ecológica de Água Limpa; 21°22’19.1”S, 42°43’14.5W”; 23 May 2017; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03978.
Remarks. This polyxenous species has been documented across eight orders and 16 avian families (Graciolli and Laps 2024). In Brazil, however, it has been recorded predominantly on Columbiformes (pigeons and doves), with only a single previous record for each Passeriformes and Tinamiformes (Bequaert 1955, Nogueira et al. 2023). Herein, we report 15 new individual association records of M. pusilla with passerine birds in Brazil. Furthermore, we document Turdus rufiventris as a new host species for M. pusilla.
Ornithoctona erythrocephala (Leach, 1817)
Material examined. BRAZIL • 2 ♀ on Leptotila verreauxi; Minas Gerais, Juiz de Fora, Jardim Botânico da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; 21°22’19.1”S, 42°43’14.5”W; 24 Jul. 2013; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03988 • 1 ♀ on Leptotila verreauxi; same locality; 26 Mar. 2014; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03989.
Remarks. This taxon represents one of the most frequently sampled avian louse flies globally, with records spanning 182 bird species across 17 orders (Graciolli and Laps 2024). Nonetheless, the first record of O. erythrocephala from the state of Minas Gerais was only recently published, documenting its occurrence on the picazuro pigeon, Patagioenas picazuro (Temminck) (Nogueira et al. 2021). The para sitism of O. erythrocephala on Leptotila verreauxi had been previously recorded exclusively in Panama (Bequaert 1954).
Ornithoica vicina (Walker, 1849)
Material examined. BRAZIL • 1 ♂ on Manacus manacus (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Pipridae); Minas Gerais, Juiz de Fora, Jardim Botânico da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; 21°22’19.1”S, 42°43’14.5”W; 07 Oct. 2014; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03985 • 1 ♀ on Tachyphonus coronatus (Vieillot) (Passeriformes: Thraupidae); same locality; 22 Oct. 2015; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03987 • 2 ♀ on Troglodytes aedon Vieillot (Passeriformes: Troglodytidae); same locality; 29 Jul. 2014; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03983 • 1 ♂ on Cyanoloxia brissonii (Lichtenstein) (Passeriformes: Cardina lidae); state of Minas Gerais, Juiz de Fora, Granja Passarada; 21°48’24.7”S, 43°19’34.0”W; 25 Sept. 2013; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03981 • 1 ♀ on Troglodytes aedon; same locality; 27 Sept. 2013; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03982 • 1 ♀ on Myiozetetes similis (Spix) (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae); Minas Gerais, Santa Bárbara do Monte Verde, Fazenda Volta Grande; 21°58’51.6”S, 43°41’46.0W”; 24 Sept. 2014; R. Matu rano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03984 • 1 ♂ on Ramphastos dicolorus Linnaeus, 1766 (Piciformes: Ramphastidae); same locality; 05 Nov. 2014; R. Maturano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03986.
Remarks. Among the avian hosts recorded herein for Ornithoica vicina, only Ramphastos dicolorus had been previously documented in the literature (Bequaert 1954). Our findings represent the first records of a hippoboscid fly parasitizing the bird species Cyanoloxia brissonii, Tachyphonus coronatus, and Troglodytes aedon (= T. musculus) (Graciolli and Laps 2024). Congeneric bird species belonging to the former two host genera have been found parasitized by Ornithoctona fusciventris (Wiedemann) (Bequaert 1954, Paynter 1957), whereas members of Troglodytes are known hosts for three distinct hippoboscid species, including O. vicina (Bequaert 1954, Main and Anderson 1970). Furthermore, we report the first documented cases of louse fly parasitism on the genera Manacus Brisson and Myiozetetes Sclater, which are passerine birds belonging to the families Pipridae and Tyrannidae, respectively.
Ornithomya (Pseudornithomya) ambigua (Lutz, Neiva & Costa-Lima, 1915)
Material examined. BRAZIL • 1 ♂ on Pygochelidon cyanoleuca (Vieillot) (Passeriformes: Hirundinidae); Minas Gerais, Santa Bárbara do Monte Verde, Fazenda Volta Grande; 21°58’51.6”S, 43°41’46.0”W; 23 Sept. 2014; R. Matu rano leg.; ZUFMS-DIP03992.
Remarks. Ornithomya ambigua is a rare species in entomological collections, with only 13 specimens recorded globally, most of which were collected during the first half of the last century (Bequaert 1954, Collins 2010). Morphological data and measurements for the studied specimen are summarized in Table 1. Although our male specimen is slightly smaller than those previously documented, our morphometric measurements are in agreement with the ranges provided by Lutz et al. (1915) and Bequaert (1954).
Measurements (mm) taken from Ornithomya ambigua, along with previous measurement and their references.
This louse fly is a highly specific parasite of swallows (Hirundinidae) (Bequaert 1954). The subgenus Pseudornithomya exhibits the highest degree of host specificity among American Ornithomya lineages: Ornithomya (Pseudornithomya) hoffmannae Bequaert, 1954 is a specialized parasite of the gray hawk Buteo plagiatus (Schlegel, 1862) (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae), whereas O. ambigua is strictly associated with hirundinids (Bequaert 1954). This host preference mirrors that of certain Old World Ornithomya species belonging to the subgenus Biloba, which also target hirundinid hosts (Maa 1964, 1969b). Because Lutz et al. (1915) described O. ambigua based on syntypes obtained from different host species across two Brazilian states, they did not designate a primary host or a precise type locality. Our record of O. ambigua on P. cyanoleuca reinforces this biological association. Bequaert (1954) reviewed the host records for O. ambigua and concluded that sporadic reports on non-hirundinid hosts, such as pigeons or ovenbirds, represent accidental transfers or fortuitous field contamination.
To date, the geographic distribution of O. ambigua remains restricted to South America, displaying a substantial disjunction between previously sampled sites in the northwestern and southeastern regions of the continent (Fig. 3). The spatial distribution of this fly likely mirrors the expansive range of its avian hosts, which occur widely across South America and occasionally reach parts of Central America during seasonal breeding migrations or as year-round residents (Dayer 2020, Lagasse 2020, Sedgwick 2020, Turner 2020). Nevertheless, Bequaert (1954) hypothesized that this species is constrained to the tropical regions of South America, failing to cross the Isthmus of Panama.
Sampling localities of Ornithomya ambigua in South America. Blue dots represent previously published records, whereas the red triangle indicates the record reported in this study. Insets show the distribution of O. ambigua by department/state in Colombia (A), Venezuela (B), Peru (C), and Brazil (D). Blue states in (D) indicate records lacking specific locality information.
The interocular face-to-eye width ratio is a key diagnostic character to distinguish O. ambigua from O. hoffmannae; the former presents conspicuously larger eyes and a narrower interocular face (Bequaert 1954). Furthermore, O. ambigua can be differentiated by an inner orbit that strongly narrows toward the lunula and by the presence of an irregular row of long and short discal setae on the scutellum. The male terminalia of these two species are extremely similar and do not provide reliable characters for interspecific differentiation (Bequaert 1954).
Diagnosis of the examined male of Ornithomya (Pseudornithomya) ambigua
Head (Fig. 4A): Eye width approximately half as wide as the interocular face. Inner orbit about half as wide as the mediovertex, noticeably narrowing at the lunula; inner orbit bearing a single row composed of one long and two medium-sized bristles on the middle third, and a few minute setae on the lower third. Gena about half as wide as the inner orbit, bearing five long bristles of unequal size. One long vertical bristle present. Postvertex approximately one-third the length of the mediovertex, lacking ocelli. Interantennal area of frons narrow basally, separated from the lunula by a distinct suture. Antennae triangular; first segment bearing only one short seta; inner margin and apex of the second segment densely set with numerous long bristles.
Details of Ornithomya ambigua. (A) Head; (B) thorax, dorsal view; (C) abdomen, dorsal view; (D) abdomen, ventral view. (1) gena, (2) vertical bristle, (3) frons, (4) antenna, (5) thoracic spiracle, (6) notopleural bristle, (7) presutural setae, (8) postalar setae, (9) prescutellar bristle, (10) scutellum, (11) posteromedian dorsal sclerites, (12) apical tergite, (13) male terminalia. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.
Thorax (Fig. 4B): Anterior margin of the mesonotum deeply concave. Mesothoracic spiracle positioned dorso-laterally on the outer hind corner of the broad humeral callosity. Median notal suture deep, extending from the anterior margin nearly to the scutellum. Transverse suture deep and medially interrupted. Mesonotum mostly bare, except for a long notopleural bristle, 1-2 small presutural setae, three small and one large postalar bristles, and one long prescutellar bristle on each side. Scutellum transversely elliptical, featuring a preapical row of 10 bristles (five on each side); discal area of the scutellum with an irregular row of alternating long and short setae; apical margin with a dense fringe. Fore tibia with one apical spur, mid tibia with one, and hind tibia with five spurs. Wings nearly three times as long as their maximum width; microtrichia distributed over almost the entire first and second posterior cells, and restricted to the basal third of the third posterior cell; costal vein set with numerous short setae, displaying several very long bristles along its basal fourth; remaining veins entirely bare.
Abdomen (Fig. 4C, D): Dorsum with a pair of medium-sized, transverse, postero-median sclerites bearing 10-12 long bristles and a few small setae, separated medially by a narrow, non-sclerotized membranous area; a pair of small, transverse apical tergites present, each bearing three long bristles and a few small setae. Male terminalia morphologically consistent with other congeneric Ornithomya species.
Morphometric dimensions of the examined specimen: total length 4.449 mm; head-to-thorax length 2.458 mm; wing length 4.888 mm; wing width 1.778 mm.
Our multi-year inventory highlights that even well-studied landscape fragments within the Atlantic Forest domain, such as those in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, still harbor poorly documented biodiversity components. The documented addition of six new host-parasite interactions, along with the significant historical rediscovery of Ornithomya ambigua after nearly a century of regional absence, underscores the critical need for integrating ectoparasite monitoring into long-term avian conservation programs in highly fragmented biomes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors thank the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (SISBIO), CEMAVE, the Instituto Estadual de Florestas de Minas Gerais (IEF-MG), and the Ethics Committee on Animal Use of the UFRRJ for providing the required research and collection permits. We are grateful to Lucas Blanco for technical assistance with photomicroscopy, to Samuel Vilasboas for image processing, and to all colleagues who provided invaluable support during field activities.
LITERATURE CITED
-
Barino GTM, Dias RJP, Graciolli G (2021) Hippoboscid flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) on birds of prey in the Atlantic Forest, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária 30(1): e016720. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-296120201082
» https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-296120201082 - Bequaert JC (1954) The Hippoboscidae or louse-flies (Diptera) of mammals and birds. Part II. Taxonomy, evolution and revision of American genera and species. Entomologica Americana 34: 1-232.
- Bequaert JC (1955) The Hippoboscidae or louse-flies (Diptera) of mammals and birds. Part II. Taxonomy, evolution and revision of American genera and species. Entomologica Americana 34: 233-416.
-
Collins CT (2010) Growth and Development of the Blue-and-white Swallow in Venezuela. Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club 59-63. https://ttfnc.org/livingworld/index.php/lwj/article/view/collins2010/93
» https://ttfnc.org/livingworld/index.php/lwj/article/view/collins2010/93 -
Dayer AA (2020) Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca). In: Billerman SM, Keeney BK, Rodewald PG, Schulenberg TS (Eds) Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bawswa1.01
» https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bawswa1.01 -
Graciolli G (2025) Hippoboscidae. In: Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil. http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/fauna/faunadobrasil/1981 [Accessed: 29/07/2025]
» http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/fauna/faunadobrasil/1981 -
Graciolli G, Carvalho CJB (2003) Hippoboscidae (Diptera, Hippoboscoidea) no Estado do Paraná, Brasil: Chaves de identificação, hospedeiros e distribuição geográfica. Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 20(4): 667-674. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-81752003000400019
» https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-81752003000400019 - Graciolli G, Bispo AA (2005) Hippoboscidae (Diptera) ectoparasitos sobre seis espécies de corujas (Strigiformes) no estado do Paraná, Sul do Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 13(2): 181-182.
-
Graciolli G, Laps RR (2024) A checklist of louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) and their avian hosts from the Americas. Integrative Systematics: Stuttgart Contributions to Natural History 7(2): 103-153. https://doi.org/10.18476/2024.995170
» https://doi.org/10.18476/2024.995170 -
Lagasse B (2020) Gray-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea). In: Billerman SM, Keeney BK, Rodewald PG, Schulenberg TS (Eds) Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.gybmar.01
» https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.gybmar.01 -
Lutz A, Neiva A, Lima AC (1915) Sobre “Pupipara” ou “Hippoboscidae” de aves brasileiras. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 7(2): 173-199. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02761915000200003
» https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02761915000200003 -
Maa TC (1964) On the genus Ornithomya Latreille from Africa (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) 1. Journal of Medical Entomology 1(2): 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/1.2.197
» https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/1.2.197 -
Maa TC (1963) Genera and Species of Hippoboscidae (Diptera): Types, synonymy, habits and natural groupings. Journal of Medical Entomology 1(1): 1-186. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/1.1.4
» https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/1.1.4 - Maa TC (1969a) Revision of Icosta Speiser (= Lynchia auctt.) with erection of a new related genus Phthona (Diptera: Hippoboscidae). Pacific Insects Monograph 20: 25-203.
- Maa TC (1969b) A revised checklist and concise host index of Hippoboscidae (Diptera). Pacific Insects Monograph 20: 261-299.
- Maa TC, Peterson BV (1987) Hippoboscidae. In: McAlpine JF, Peterson BV, Shewell GE, Tekey HJ, Vockeroth JR, Wood DM (Eds) Manual of Neatic Diptera. Research Branch Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, vol. 2, 1271-1281.
- Main AJ, Anderson KS (1970) The genera Ornithoica, Ornithomya, and Ornithoctona in Massachusetts (Diptera: Hippoboscidae). Bird-Banding 41(4): 300-306.
-
Moreira RF, Farezin LDC, Souza UA, Silva BZD, Amorim DB, et al. (2019) Pupipara (Diptera, Hippoboscidae) in wild birds attended at a rehabilitation center in southern Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária 28(2): 330-332. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612019004
» https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612019004 -
Nogueira BCF, Campos JEG, Cassiano LA, Campos AK, Ribon R (2021) New records of ectoparasites from Patagioenas picazuro (Temminck 1813) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Archives of Veterinary Science 26(1): 92-103. https://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v26i1.73008
» https://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v26i1.73008 -
Nogueira BCF, Cassiano LDA, Martins TF, Graciolli G, Ribon R, et al. (2023) Records of ectoparasites on humans and wildlife in southeastern Brazil. Archives of Veterinary Science 28(1): 87959. https://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v1i1.87959
» https://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v1i1.87959 - Paynter RA (1957) VII. Birds of Laguna Ocotal. In: Paynter RA (Ed.) Biological investigations in the Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, Mexico. Bulletin of the Museum Comparative Zoology 116: 249-285.
-
Pinheiro MF, Bonato RM, Ikeda P, Souza RAMD, Carrasco ADOT, Seki MC (2021) Occurrence of Lipoptena mazama and Lipoptena guimaraesi (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) on gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) in southern Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária 30(4): e008621. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612021081
» https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612021081 -
Rasband WS (1997-2025) ImageJ. U.S. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, http://imagej.nih.gov/ij/ [Accessed: 10/04/2025].
» http://imagej.nih.gov/ij/ -
Remsen JV Jr, Areta JI, Bonaccorso E, Claramunt S, Lane DF, et al. (2025) A classification of the bird species of South America. Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University, version 18. http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm
» http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm - Ridgely RS, Gwynne JA, Tudor G, Argel M (2015) Aves do Brasil: Mata Atlântica do Sudeste. Horizonte, São Paulo, 417 pp.
- Sigrist T (2014) Avifauna brasileira. Avis Brasilis, São Paulo, 607 pp.
-
Sedgwick CW (2020) White-winged Swallow (Tachycineta albiventer). In: Billerman SM, Keeney BK, Rodewald PG, Schulenberg TS (Eds) Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.whwswa1.01
» https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.whwswa1.01 -
Silva HMD, Pichorim M (2013) First record of Microlynchia pusilla (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in Northeastern Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária 22(2): 300-301. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612013005000020
» https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612013005000020 -
Teixeira RHF, Silva ML, Caiaffa MG, Gonzaga CRR, Matos FN, et al. (2023) Hippoboscid flies in wild birds rescued at the Sorocaba Zoo, São Paulo, Brazil. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia 75(6): 1177-1181. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-12875
» https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-12875 -
Turner A (2020) Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis). In: Billerman SM, Keeney BK, Rodewald PG, Schulenberg TS (Eds) Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.srwswa1.01
» https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.srwswa1.01 - Van Perlo B (2009) A field guide to the Birds of Brazil. Oxford University Press, New York, 465 pp.
-
Vaz FF, Teixeira VN (2016) New records of three hippoboscid species on newly captured birds from nature in Paraná, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária 25(4): 501-503. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612016056
» https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612016056 - Wood DM (2010) Hippoboscidae. In: Brown BV, Borkent A, Cumming JM, Wood DM, Woodley NE, Zumbado MA (Eds) Manual of central American Diptera. NRC Research Press, Ottawa, vol. 2, 728 pp.
- ZooBank register
-
Data Availability Statement
All data generated and/or analyzed are included in this article.
-
Funding Statement
This study was funded by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES; protocol 032/2010) and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq; Protax 2024 #445404/2024-8). Additional support was provided through CNPq fellowships to E.B.B. (140349/2025-1) and G.G. (308119/2022-3).
-
Ethical Statement
Field permits and bird capture licenses were granted by the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade - SISBIO (licenses #29268 and #55156), CEMAVE (authorizations #3954/1 and #4154/1), and the Instituto Estadual de Florestas de Minas Gerais - IEF-MG (010/2017). Ethical clearance was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use of the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (CEUA-UFRRJ; protocol #060/2014).
-
AI Statement
No artificial intelligence tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.
-
How to cite this article
Bernava EB, Maturano R, Graciolli G (2026) After 53 years, a new record of Ornithomya ambigua (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) and other reports of bird louse flies from the state of Minas Gerais. Zoologia 43: e25078. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-4689.v43.e25078
-
Published by
Sociedade Brasileira de Zoologia at Scientific Electronic Library Online - https://www.scielo.br/zool
All data generated and/or analyzed are included in this article.
Data citations
Graciolli G (2025) Hippoboscidae. In: Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil. http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/fauna/faunadobrasil/1981 [Accessed: 29/07/2025]








