CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ORNITHOMYINI OF ISRAEL (DIPTERA,HIPPOBOSCIDAE)

A survey of the bird-parasitizing louse flies (Ornithomyini) in Israel was carried out between 1990 and 1993. Specimens belonging to 13 spec ies were examined. Seven species were previously known from Israel (Ic osta ardeae (Macquart), I. meda (Maa), I. minor (Bigot), Ornithoica tu rdi Olivier, Ornithomya chloropus (Bergroth), Ornithophila metallica ( Schiner), and Pseudolynchia canariensis (Macquart)), and six species a re recorded as new to the Israeli fauna (Crataerina pallida Olivier, f rom swifts (Apus apus); Icosta zumpti Maa, from a buzzard (Buteo buteo ); Ornithomya avicular ia L., from a blackbird (Turdus merula); Ornith omya biloba Dufour, from swallows (Hirundo rustica) and sand martins ( Riparia riparia); Orithomya gigantea n. sp. (described here), from a b lackcap (Sylvia atricapilla); and Ornithophila gestroi Rondani, from l esser kestrels (Falco naumanni)). Louse flies were found on 26 species of birds, 24 of which constitute new host records for Israel.