Chewing-lice
Guides
Brueelia
Brueelia is a hyperdiverse genus of chewing lice in the family Philopteridae, forming the core of the 'Brueelia-complex'—one of the largest and most heterogeneous groups of avian lice. Over 300 species have been described, with estimates suggesting more than 1,000 species may exist from African hosts alone. The genus is predominantly associated with Passeriformes (perching birds), with most species exhibiting high host specificity; more than 85% of described species are known from a single host bird species.
Felicola subrostratus
cat biting louse
Felicola subrostratus is a chewing louse (order Psocodea) and the only louse species known to infest domestic cats. It is an obligate ectoparasite with strict host specificity for felids. Infestations cause pediculosis characterized by pruritus, dermatitis, and alopecia, though some cats remain asymptomatic. Long-haired cats typically experience more severe clinical signs. Despite a broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents, field reports indicate it is uncommon in pet cats and occurs more frequently in stray, shelter, or cattery populations.
Ricinidae
Ricinidae is a family of chewing lice within the suborder Amblycera. All species are relatively large-bodied avian ectoparasites that feed on host blood, an atypical trait among chewing lice. The family includes three recognized genera: Ricinus (65 species, parasitizing Passeriformes), Trochiliphagus (13 species, on hummingbirds), and Trochiloecetes (30 species, also on hummingbirds but restricted to head and neck). Ricinids typically exhibit low prevalence and low intensity infestations with strongly female-biased sex ratios.