Lice
Guides
Chelopistes
turkey lice
Chelopistes is a genus of chewing lice in the family Philopteridae, parasitic primarily on galliform birds, notably domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). The best-studied species, Chelopistes meleagridis, is the largest louse affecting turkeys and has been successfully reared in vitro, revealing strict dietary requirements for development. These lice require host skin (epidermis) in addition to feathers to reach adulthood; feather-only diets result in severe developmental failure. The genus exhibits high reproductive output relative to other Ischnocera, with females producing approximately 2-3 eggs daily.
Damalinia
Damalinia is a genus of chewing lice in the family Trichodectidae, parasitic on mammals including ungulates, equids, and sheep. Species are host-specific ectoparasites that feed on epidermal debris, skin secretions, and hair. Several species are economically significant veterinary pests, notably Damalinia ovis (sheep body louse) and D. equi (horse louse), which cause skin irritation, dermatitis, and wool damage. The genus exhibits sexual dimorphism in antennae morphology and terminalia. Temperature and humidity strongly influence reproduction and population dynamics.
Felicola
Felicola is a genus of parasitic chewing lice in the family Trichodectidae, established by Ewing in 1929. The genus comprises at least 50 described species, with Felicola subrostratus being the only species known to infest domestic cats. These obligate ectoparasites exhibit high host specificity and are distributed across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Infestations are considered uncommon in pet cats but occur more frequently in stray or shelter animals.
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.
Pediculidae
Ape Lice
Pediculidae is a family of sucking lice (suborder Anoplura) that includes obligate ectoparasites of primates. The family contains Pediculus humanus, the human head and body louse, which exists as two morphologically similar but ecologically distinct forms: P. h. capitis (head louse) and P. h. humanus (body louse). Pediculidae also includes P. schaeffi, which infests chimpanzees and bonobos. These lice are wingless, dorsoventrally flattened insects with specialized mouthparts for piercing skin and feeding on blood. They complete their entire life cycle on the host and are of significant medical importance as vectors of epidemic typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever.
Polyplax
Mouse Lice
Polyplax is a genus of sucking lice in the family Polyplacidae. Species are permanent ectoparasites of small mammals, primarily rodents. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. At least one species, Polyplax serrata, comprises distinct cryptic lineages with different host specificity strategies.
Psocodea
bark lice, book lice, parasitic lice, barklice, booklice
Psocodea is an order of insects comprising approximately 11,000 species across three extant suborders: Trogiomorpha, Troctomorpha, and Psocomorpha. The group includes free-living barklice and booklice, as well as the parasitic lice (formerly Phthiraptera). Molecular and morphological evidence demonstrates that parasitic lice evolved from within the barklice lineage, rendering the former order 'Psocoptera' paraphyletic. Members range from 1–10 mm in length and occupy diverse habitats from forest canopies to stored products.
Pthiridae
Pubic Lice
Pthiridae is a family of sucking lice containing the single genus Pthirus with two extant species: Pthirus pubis (human pubic louse) and Pthirus gorillae (gorilla louse). These obligate ectoparasites are highly host-specific, with each species restricted to a single primate host. The two species diverged approximately 3-4 million years ago, possibly associated with a host switch from gorillas to humans. Members of this family possess dorsoventrally flattened bodies and broad, crab-like claws adapted for grasping coarse hair.
Tricholipeurus
Tricholipeurus is a genus of ischnoceran lice in the family Trichodectidae, parasitic on mammals. The genus was established by Bedford in 1929. Species within this genus are ectoparasites of ungulates, with documented host associations including gazelles. At least one species, Tricholipeurus balanicus, has been recorded from the slender-horned gazelle (Gazella leptoceros) in Algeria.