Sucking Lice

Anoplura

Sucking Louse Pediculosis humanus - From: Genetic Analysis of Lice Supports Direct Contact between Modern and Archaic Humans Reed DL, Smith VS, Hammond SL, Rogers AR, Clayton DH PLoS Biology Vol. 2, No. 11, e340 doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020340

Also known as sucking lice

• Narrow head

• Thorax wider than the head

• Powerful legs

• Piercing mouthparts

• Feed on blood and tissue fluids

• Heavy infestations can cause anaemia

• Species occur only on mammals