Ectoparasites:
Parasites that live on the outside of the host, either on the skin or the outgrowths of the skin, are called ectoparasites (e.g. lice, fleas, and some mites). [Wikipedia]
Found in a book review, “How did the zebra get its stripes?” Matthew Cobb, NewScientist (18 March 2017):
Caro lists dozens of theories, most of which boil down to five common factors: camouflage (protection from predators); warning coloration (zebras can bite); communication (social behaviours); temperature regulation (stripes may help resist the heat); and ectoparasites (biting flies might not like stripes).
