In this article we will discuss about the structure of Sucking Lice (Pediculus) with the help of a diagram.
Fig. 249 HUMAN BODY LICE
1. These are commonly known as sucking lice or common human body lice and are ectoparasites on the bodies of human beings, where by they such blood and also act as disease vector for typhus fever, transit fever and relapsing fever etc.
2. They feed exclusively on human blood and are found hidden in armpit hairs, public hairs and attached to under garments, which are not changed daily or frequently.
3. These are small insects having no wings and measuring 1-2 mm. or some times extending up to 8 mm.
4. Body flat, dorsoventrally compressed, wingless and differentiated into a small narrow head, a short and fused thorax and a well developed abdomen.
5. Head bears a pair of short 3-5 jointed antennae, a pair of rudimentary eyes and a pair of pointed, curved and biting mandibles.
6. The thorax is differentiated into pro, meso and metathorax. Each thoracic segment bears a pair of short clawed legs used for clinging to hair.
7. Each abdominal segment bears a pair of spiracles for respiration, a pair of pleural plates and few bristles on either sides. The anal cerci, however, are absent.
8. They lay millions of eggs which are whitish in colour and glued to host’s hair.