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Insect Order Mallophaga- biting
lice
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| The Mallophaga are described as wingless (Apterous), hemimetabolous
(having a simple metamorphosis i.e. no pupa) ectoparsites (living on the
outside of their hosts) of mostly birds but also of some mammals, there
are about 2 800 species world wide. The range in size from 0.5 to 10 mm
long dorsoventrally flattened with reduced compound eyes and no ocelli.
The antennae are 3 to 5 segmented and capitate (with a knob on the end)
and recessed into the head in the Amblycera but filiform (thin and
linear) in the Ischnocera and may be modifiesd as clasping organs in the
male. Their mouthparts are designed for biting and they have no cerci,
there is some suggestion that they may have evolved from the Psocoptera
(Book and Bark Lice) |
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