Difference between revisions of "Lice"
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| + | <categorytree mode=pages style="float:right; clear:right; margin-left:1ex; border:1px solid gray; padding:0.7ex; background-color:white;">Insecta</categorytree> | ||
| + | ==Phthiraptera introduction== | ||
| + | Lice are obligate ectoparasites of every avian and most mammalian species. They are only a few millimeters long and like [[Fleas|fleas]], are wingless but unlike [[Fleas|fleas]] are dorsoventrally flattened. | ||
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| + | Lice are host specific, permanent parasites which cause [[Parasitic skin infections - Pathology#Lice|pediculosis]]. The louse saliva and faeces contain allergenic substances which cause irritation, rubbing, licking and skin damage leading to decreased host productivity. | ||
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| + | 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. | ||
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| + | There are two main groups of veterinary importance, the mallophaga (chewing lice) and anoplura (sucking lice). | ||
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| + | ==Life cycle== | ||
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| + | *The whole life cycle takes '''2-3 weeks''' | ||
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| + | *The louse spends its whole life on the animal | ||
| + | **It can however survive for one week off the animal | ||
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| + | *In some species [[WikiWords#P|parthenogenesis]] can occur | ||
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| + | *Close contact transmission can occur | ||
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| + | '''1. Eggs''' | ||
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| + | *Known as nits | ||
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| + | *Cemented to hairs | ||
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| + | '''2. Nymphs''' | ||
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| + | *Nymphs hatch from the egg (no larval stage) | ||
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| + | *Undergoes several moults | ||
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| + | '''3. Adults''' | ||
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| + | *Females can lay up to '''10 eggs per day''' | ||
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| + | <big>'''[[Chewing Lice]] | ||
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| + | '''[[Sucking Lice]] | ||
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| + | '''[[Pediculosis]]''' | ||
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| + | '''[[Lice - Cattle]] | ||
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| + | '''[[Lice - Sheep]] | ||
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| + | '''[[Lice - Pigs]] | ||
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| + | '''[[Lice - Horses]] | ||
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| + | '''[[Lice - Dogs]] | ||
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| + | '''[[Lice - Cats]] | ||
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| + | '''[[Lice - Poultry]] | ||
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| + | '''[[Lice - Donkey]] | ||
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| + | '''[[Lice Flashcards]] | ||
| + | </big> | ||
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| + | [[Category:Lice]] | ||
Revision as of 23:23, 8 April 2010
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Phthiraptera introduction
Lice are obligate ectoparasites of every avian and most mammalian species. They are only a few millimeters long and like fleas, are wingless but unlike fleas are dorsoventrally flattened.
Lice are host specific, permanent parasites which cause pediculosis. The louse saliva and faeces contain allergenic substances which cause irritation, rubbing, licking and skin damage leading to decreased host 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).
Life cycle
- The whole life cycle takes 2-3 weeks
- The louse spends its whole life on the animal
- It can however survive for one week off the animal
- In some species parthenogenesis can occur
- Close contact transmission can occur
1. Eggs
- Known as nits
- Cemented to hairs
2. Nymphs
- Nymphs hatch from the egg (no larval stage)
- Undergoes several moults
3. Adults
- Females can lay up to 10 eggs per day