ANOPLEURA: SUCKING LICE
Definition
- Minute, flattened, wingless. Antennae short.
- Head usually narrow and front segment of thorax small, poorly defined.
- Blood-sucking mouthparts which are retracted into the head when not in use. These are true lice.
- Incomplete life cycle: egg larva looking like adults and adult.
What they do & where they live
- Parasites on birds and mammals. Three live in different areas of hair on humans, the commonest being Head lice or Nits.
- They are widespread in the wild but generally go un-noticed.
Number of species
- In Britain about 25 species.
- Worldwide 2,500 known species (but many more remain to be found).
