3,326
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
==Phthiraptera Introduction==
==Phthiraptera Introduction==
[[Image:Arthropod classifiation.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Arthropod Classification - copyright nabrown RVC]]
[[Image:Arthropod classifiation.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Arthropod Classification - copyright nabrown RVC]]
Lice are obligate ectoparasites of every avian and most mammalian species. They are only a few milimetres long and like [[Fleas - WikiBlood|fleas]], are wingless but unlike [[Fleas - WikiBlood|fleas]] are dorsoventally flattened.
Lice are host specific, permanent parasites which cause pediculosis. The louse saliva and faeces contains allergenic substances which causes irritation, rubbing, licking and skin damage to the host which will decrease the host's productivity.
Mammalian lice species have a single pair of claws on the ends of stout legs, whereas avian lice species have a double claw on each leg.
There are two main groups of veterinary importance, the mallophaga (chewing lice) and anoplura (sucking lice).
==Mallophaga==
==Mallophaga==
''Also known as '''chewing lice''' or '''biting lice''' ''
''Also known as '''chewing lice''' or '''biting lice''' ''