Pronunciation: ap-t^r-a

Common name(s): lice

Mouthparts:

a) chewing in biting & bird lice (mallophaga)

b) piercing & sucking in blood feeders (anoplura)

Wings: none

Metamorphosis: paurometabolous - eggs glued to host hairs

Body characteristics:

1) body flattened top to bottom

2) legs have special claws to grasp host

Where found: very host specific with all life stages on mammals and birds

Economic impact: lice are serious pests of animals and poultry - reduce production and greater disease susceptibility for animals infested; human lice are social problem and may transmit typhus disease

Size of order: 3000 species (380 in N. America)

References: Peters pg. 410-411 & 258-260; disease pg. 278

University of Arizona Tree of Life Page (Very Interesting Site!)