Lice (Order Phthiraptera)
What do lice look like?
An example of a louse. Electron micrograph: S Lindsay © Australian Museum.
Louse. Illustration: A Howells © Australian Museum.
- Size:
- 0.5 mm - 10 mm in length but most are shorter than 5 mm.
- Body:
- Ovoid or the abdomen is swollen making it look like a lopsided dumb-bell.
- Flattened as if pressed from above.
- Body appears hard.
- Antennae:
- Very short; sometimes held in a groove hence often difficult to see.
- Thread-like, or club-like; never longer than head.
- Eyes:
- Very small or absent.
- Mouthparts:
- For chewing or munching, or a pointed tube for piercing and sucking.
- Wings:
- Absent.
- Limbs:
- Six legs.
- Have modified hook-like claws for clinging to feathers or fur.
- Abdomen tip:
- Cerci (tails) absent.
Where are lice found?
- On mammals and birds clinging to hairs or feathers.
- Often restricted to one host and usually favour one specific part of the host's body.
What do lice do?
- They are external parasites and are often found groups around food source.
- When disturbed they may run but generally they cling to hair or feathers.
- They feed on feathers, hairs, skin flakes and blood. Some will feed on eggs of other lice species.
- They are active day and night.
