Lice

Question 1

What are the physical adaptations of lice?

Answer 1

• Claws
• Dorso ventrally flattened
• Wingless

Question 2

What are the two types of lice?

Answer 2

-Chewing (mallophagan) or sucking (anopluran)

Question 3

What type of lifecycle do lice have?

Answer 3

• Hemimetabola

- Egg-> nymphs -> adult

Question 4

Describe louse eggs

Answer 4

• Suboval
• Layed on the hair near to the skin
• Chicken lice lay their eggs in big clumps near base of feathers

Question 5

Define pediculosis

Answer 5

An infestation of lice

Question 6

What are the clinical signs of pediculosis?

Answer 6

Pruritus/ irritation
Unthirftiness
Rough coat
Alopecia
Anaemia in severe infestations

Question 7

What are the indirect affects of a lice infestation?

Answer 7

• Typhus (Rickettsia prowazekki)
• Louse borne relapsing fever (Borelia recurrentis)
• The pug louse (Haemotopinus suis) = mechanical vector of swine pox
• Dog lice - Trichodectes canis can also be an intermediate host for D caninum.

Question 8

How many sub orders are there in the Phthiraptera order?

Answer 8

4

Question 9

What type of lice are not found of birds?

Answer 9

Anoplian

Question 10

if the louse is seen being fairly active what sort it is most likely to be?

Answer 10

A chewing lice (mellaphagia)

Question 11

How are lice spread?

Answer 11

By direct contact

-Adults, nymphs and eggs can only survive a few days off host