Department of Entomology

Phthiraptera (Lice)

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Phthiraptera - Brigham Young/VPI & SU PCD0330034

I. Background information

A. Origin of name

1. phthir, lice; a, without; ptera, wings

2. wingless ectoparasites

B. Classification

1. Used to be 2 orders

a. Anoplura - sucking lice (56 species)

b. Mallophaga - chewing lice (943 species)

2. 4 suborders worldwide (3 in book)

a. Ischnocera - filiform antenna exposed, chewing lice

b. Amblycera - clubbed antenna, chewing lice

c. Rhynchophthirina - head prolonged (link to Anoplura), chewing lice

d. Anoplura - sucking lice

C. Common names - Lice (sucking lice, chewing lice)

D. Type of metamorphosis - simple

E. Phylogenetic relationships

1. Probably evolved from a psocid or psocid-like ancestor

2. Anoplura - known from Quaternary

II. Morphological characteristics

A. Wingless ectoparasites

B. 1 Tarsi - modified for a claw

C. Mouthparts - stylets for sucking lice, mandibles for chewing lice

D. Dorso - ventally flattened

E. Eggs - NITS - glues to hair or feather

III. Biological summary for the order

A. Life history

1. Most lice never leave the host, and then only for short periods

2. Transfer by bodily contact, although some human infesting lice can move on clothing or bedding

B. Habitat and Habits

1. Birds and mammals for chewing lice

2. Placental mammals for sucking lice

3. Many species are host specific

4. All will leave dead and cooling hosts

C. Significance

1. Disease vectors - Typhus by body lice