The thick skin does not protect against bloodsucking "Tabanus" flies, leeches and ticks. Rarer hosts include other bloodsucking invertebrates, such as leeches, and other organisms such as plants. Some assassin bug species are bloodsucking parasites of mammals, even feed on humans. The novel is set in a future Los Angeles overrun with undead cannibalistic/bloodsucking beings. Deer flies are bloodsucking insects considered pests to humans and cattle. The Vampires are a race of bloodsucking entities with many types and origins. "Cimex" are obligatory hematophagous (bloodsucking) insects. In typical bloodsucking species, the female has an elongated proboscis. Cimicids are relatively specialized in their choice of hosts, compared to other bloodsucking insects. Aana Marutha is often depicted as a bloodsucking evil spirit. Clark was portrayed as bloodsucking, cold, and humourless. He was first seen investigating Doc Morbius' bloodsucking rampage and child abductions. The challenge in bloodsucking is that each victim has a "stress meter". Because of this deception, Largo branded Hitoshi as a "bloodsucking l33ch". It is known commonly as the western bloodsucking conenose.