Order Mallophaga
Biting Lice
General Description
The Mallophaga are described as wingless (Apterous), hemimetabolous (having a simple metamorphosis i.e. no pupa) ectoparsites (living on the outside of their hosts) of mostly birds but also of some mammals
Morphological Characteristics
 | Head broad, with mandibulate mouthparts |
| The range in size from 0.5 to 10 mm long dorsoventrally flattened |
| Antennae short; 3-5 segmented |
| Eyes reduced or absent |
| Tarsi 1- or 2-segmented, most species have two small claws |
Biology
| Some suggestion that they may have evolved from the Psocoptera |
| Most feed on fragments of hair and feathers though some such as feed on their hosts blood as well |
| Some have formed a symbiotic relationship with bacteria which live in special Mycetocytes in the insects fat reserves, these may help with the digestion of blood |
| They are often adapted to live on particular parts of their hosts bodies. |
| They can only survive for a maximum of three days after their host has died and may hitch a ride on a passing fly (phoresis) in the hope of reaching a new host, they may also use phoresis in order to spread to a new host even if the present one is still alive. |
| Females lay up to 100 eggs which are cemented to the hair or feathers of the host with a clear fast drying glue which is secreted onto the hair or feather by the female immediately before she lays the egg. The eggs take about 3 or 4 days to hatch and the nymphs go through 3 larval instars in about 20 days before they reach maturity. |
Distribution
There are about 2,800 species dispersed worldwide.
Economic Importance
Biting lice do not usually spread disease pathogens, but heavy infestations in poultry can cause severe skin irritation, weight loss, and reduced egg production.
Interesting Facts
| During the war, louse-borne disease were common when soldiers were forced to live in crowded and unsanitary conditions. Trench fever was especially widespread during World War I, and was probably a major factor in the final collapse of the Russian army. |
| Some South American Indian tribes members believe it is customary to collect and eat the lice from one another's body. They view this behavior as a way of sharing each other's soul. |
Lice Pictures
From Iowa State University Entomology Image Gallery.Louse Taxonomy and Phylogeny From Glasgow University