Mallophaga and Siphunculata (Order)

MALLOPHAGA : SIPHUNCULATA
  • Order : Mallophaga (Biting lice); Siphunculata/Anoplura (Sucking lice)
  • Earlier both the Orders were referred to as Order: Pthiraptera
    • Blood suking insects entirely parasitic on animals
    • Permanent ectoparasites of birds and mammals
    • Body flattened dorsoventrally and covered with small spines
    • Spiracles dorsally situated
    • Thorax with 3 pairs of legs with 2 segmented tarsus
    • Wings absent
    • Mouth parts adapted for biting or sucking
    • Antennae 3-5 jointed
    • Metamorphosis incomplete (Egg-Nymph-Adult)- 3 Ecdyses (moults)
    • Carriers of bacterial and helminthic diseases
    • Highly host specific

Click here to view the difference between biting lice and sucking lice
Last modified: Monday, 9 April 2012, 11:12 AM