Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| {{frontpage | | {{frontpage |
− | |pagetitle =Lice | + | |pagetitle =Lice (Phthiraptera) |
− | |pagebody = | + | |pagebody = |
| + | <div style="text-align: left; direction: ltr; margin-left: 1em;"> |
| + | 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. |
| + | |
| + | Lice are host specific, permanent parasites which cause [[Pediculosis|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). |
| + | </div> |
| |contenttitle =Content | | |contenttitle =Content |
| |contentbody =<big><b> | | |contentbody =<big><b> |