Nycteribiidae

Nycteribiidae is a family of ectoparasitic flies, commonly called bat flies. They belong to Diptera, within the superfamily Hippoboscoidea, and are obligate parasites of bats (Chiroptera). Members are highly adapted to life on their hosts, and most species are wingless, with a dorsoventrally flattened body that allows them to move easily among fur in bat roosts. The head is typically narrow, and the mouthparts are adapted for hematophagy; legs bear strong claws for gripping onto hair.

Life cycle and reproduction: Reproduction is viviparous in the sense that females give birth to a single larva, which quickly enters a pupal stage and later emerges as an adult. Adults spend most of their lives clinging to bat hosts, feeding on blood. They move between hosts or roosts mainly through contact rather than flight, a consequence of their wingless condition.

Ecology and distribution: Nycteribiidae are worldwide but show greatest species richness in tropical regions. They often exhibit host specificity, with different bat species attracting distinct bat fly assemblages. Roost habitats include caves, mines, tree hollows, and sometimes human structures where bats roost.

Systematics and relationships: The family contains numerous genera and species and is closely related to Streblidae; together these groups form the bat fly clade within Hippoboscoidea. Morphological and life-history adaptations distinguish Nycteribiidae from other dipterans, notably by their winglessness and specialized ectoparasitic lifestyle.

Pathogens and significance: Bat flies can harbor various microorganisms, but their role as disease vectors to humans is not well established. Their primary ecological impact is as parasites of bats, contributing to the dynamics of host–parasite interactions in bat colonies.