CHAPTER XVII 



Order Mallophaga (Bird Lice, Gnawing Lice) 



(Gr. /xaAXo? = wool, and (j>a'/eiv = to eat). 



This is a small order of small wingless insects that inhabit the fur of 

 mammals and the feathers of birds, which parts they gnaw and eat. No 

 species is known to occur on man. 



The order is closely related to the Orthopiera (p 245), and it must 

 not be confused with the true blood-sucking lice {Anoplura), which are 

 related to the bugs and have a suctorial proboscis. 



The Mallophaga are flattened, wingless, louse-like insects that do not 

 undergo metamorphosis. The head is large, the antennas are short and 

 occasionally concealed, the eyes are much reduced or are altogether 



■Fowl-louse, Menopon. 



absent, and the mouth-parts are formed for biting It is not always easy 

 to distinguish all the mouth-parts, but in specimens mounted for the 

 microscope the dark-coloured hook-like mandibles are always visible, as 

 also in some of the commonest species are the labial palps. 



The prothorax is distinct, but the mesothorax and metathorax are 

 often united, and are sometimes not clearly differentiated from the 

 abdominal segments, which are from 8 to 10 in number. The tarsi are 

 composed of i or 2, rarely of 3 segments, and terminate in either one or 

 two claws.' The eggs are supposed to be attached to the hairs and feathers 

 of the host. 



The Mallophaga are supposed not to do any harm to their hosts, but 

 the species (Fig. 97) commonly found on the domestic fowl may often 

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