Difference between revisions of "Louse Life Cycle"

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Both sucking and chewing lice have similar life cycles.  The females lay eggs, which are usually white.  These stick to the hair or feathers on the host.    Sucking lice feed on blood using their piercing mouth parts.  Mammalian chewing lice feed on hair shafts or dermis.  The bird lice are also capable of digestive keratin, so can eat feathers.
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Both [[:Category:Sucking Lice|sucking]] and [[:Category:Chewing Lice|chewing lice]] have similar life cycles.  The females lay eggs, which are usually white.  The female is capable of producing several hundred eggs in a lifetime.  These stick to the hair or feathers on the host.    Sucking lice feed on blood using their piercing mouth parts.  Mammalian chewing lice feed on hair shafts or dermis.  The bird lice are also capable of digesting keratin, so can eat feathers.
  
 
There is no real metamorphosis.  The egg hatches into a nymph, which is essentially a juvenile louse.  They are similar to adults, except just smaller.
 
There is no real metamorphosis.  The egg hatches into a nymph, which is essentially a juvenile louse.  They are similar to adults, except just smaller.
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After three further moults the adults usually fully mature.   
 
After three further moults the adults usually fully mature.   
  
A heavy louse infestation is known as pediculosis.
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A heavy louse infestation is known as [[Pediculosis|pediculosis]].
 
 
  
 
The complete life cycle takes around '''2-3 weeks''', and the louse generally spend their entire life on the host.
 
The complete life cycle takes around '''2-3 weeks''', and the louse generally spend their entire life on the host.
  
In some species [[WikiWords#P|parthenogenesis]] can occur.
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In some species [[WikiWords#P|parthenogenesis]] may also occur.
 
 
'''1. Eggs'''
 
  
*Known as nits
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{{Learning
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|flashcards = [[Lice_Flashcards|Lice Flashcards]]
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|literature search =[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=%28title%3A%28lice%29+OR+title%3A%28louse%29%29+AND+title%3A%28%22life+cycle%22%29 Louse life cycle publications]
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}}
  
*Cemented to hairs
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==References==
  
'''2. Nymphs'''
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Taylor, M.A, Coop, R.L., Wall,R.L. (2007) '''Veterinary Parasitology''' ''Blackwell Publishing''  
  
*Nymphs hatch from the egg (no larval stage)
 
  
*Undergoes several moults
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{{review}}
  
'''3. Adults'''
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{{OpenPages}}
  
*Females can lay up to '''10 eggs per day'''
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[[Category:Lice|B]]
  
[[Category:Lice]]
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[[Category:Expert_Review]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_Max]]
 

Latest revision as of 20:19, 11 July 2012


Both sucking and chewing lice have similar life cycles. The females lay eggs, which are usually white. The female is capable of producing several hundred eggs in a lifetime. These stick to the hair or feathers on the host. Sucking lice feed on blood using their piercing mouth parts. Mammalian chewing lice feed on hair shafts or dermis. The bird lice are also capable of digesting keratin, so can eat feathers.

There is no real metamorphosis. The egg hatches into a nymph, which is essentially a juvenile louse. They are similar to adults, except just smaller.

After three further moults the adults usually fully mature.

A heavy louse infestation is known as pediculosis.

The complete life cycle takes around 2-3 weeks, and the louse generally spend their entire life on the host.

In some species parthenogenesis may also occur.


Louse Life Cycle Learning Resources
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Louse life cycle publications


References

Taylor, M.A, Coop, R.L., Wall,R.L. (2007) Veterinary Parasitology Blackwell Publishing




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