Pseudostrebla

Pseudostrebla is a genus of flies belonging to the family Hippoboscidae, commonly known as louse flies. These flies are obligate ectoparasites, meaning they live on the outside of their host and depend on it for survival. The genus Pseudostrebla currently contains only one described species, Pseudostrebla woodi. This species is found in South America, specifically in regions of Brazil.

Pseudostrebla woodi has a distinctive flattened body and is wingless, a common adaptation among parasitic flies that reduces the risk of being dislodged from their host. Their legs are strong and equipped with sharp claws, enabling them to cling tightly to the fur or feathers of their hosts. The primary hosts for Pseudostrebla woodi are various species of bats. The life cycle of these flies is viviparous, meaning they give birth to live larvae, which then pupate in the environment.

Like other members of the Hippoboscidae family, Pseudostrebla flies feed on the blood of their hosts. This blood-feeding habit can potentially transmit diseases, although research on the specific epidemiological role of Pseudostrebla is limited. The study of Pseudostrebla is of interest to entomologists and parasitologists due to its specialized parasitic lifestyle and its role within the host-parasite ecological interactions in South American bat populations. Further research is needed to fully understand the distribution, host range, and impact of this unique genus.