Lice
Order Phthiraptera
Obligate parasites that live on birds and mammals. They have flattened bodies and strong claws for gripping hair or feathers. Species-specific to their hosts.
Species in this Order (15)
Cattle Biting Louse
Bovicola bovis
A chewing louse that infests cattle worldwide, causing irritation and economic losses in livestock. ...
Cattle Sucking Louse
Linognathus vituli
A blood-sucking louse found on calves and young cattle worldwide. It has a distinctive long narrow h...
Chicken Body Louse
Menacanthus stramineus
The most damaging louse of domestic poultry, feeding on feathers, skin, and blood. Heavy infestation...
Dog Biting Louse
Trichodectes canis
A chewing louse that infests domestic dogs, feeding on skin debris and secretions. It can serve as a...
Elephant Louse
Haematomyzus elephantis
A highly specialized louse found only on elephants, with piercing mouthparts adapted to penetrate th...
Goat Biting Louse
Bovicola caprae
A chewing louse infesting domestic goats worldwide. It feeds on skin flakes and causes intense itchi...
Hog Louse
Haematopinus suis
The largest louse found on domestic animals, exclusively parasitizing pigs. It feeds on blood and is...
Horse Sucking Louse
Haematopinus asini
A large blood-sucking louse found on horses, donkeys, and mules. It prefers areas with long hair suc...
Human Body Louse
Pediculus humanus humanus
Closely related to the head louse but lives in clothing rather than on hair. It is the vector for ep...
Human Head Louse
Pediculus humanus capitis
An obligate ectoparasite of the human scalp that feeds on blood several times per day. It spreads th...
Large Turkey Louse
Chelopistes meleagridis
The largest louse found on domestic turkeys, feeding on feather material. It prefers the breast and ...
Peafowl Feather Louse
Goniodes pavonis
A large chewing louse found on peafowl and pheasants. It feeds on feather material and can damage th...
Pubic Louse
Pthirus pubis
A broad, crab-shaped louse that infests coarse body hair, primarily in the pubic region. It is trans...
Shaft Louse
Menopon gallinae
A fast-moving louse found on the feather shafts of chickens and other poultry. It feeds primarily on...
Slender Pigeon Louse
Columbicola columbae
A long slender louse found between the barbs of wing and tail feathers of pigeons and doves. It is o...