Lice

Question 1

Compare and conrast the appeaance of lice to fleas.

Answer 1

Lice are dorsoventrally flatened as they move around less. They are both wingless

Question 2

What condition do they cause?

Answer 2

Pediculosis

Question 3

How many pairs of claws do mammalian lice have?

Answer 3

One (2 in avian species)

Question 4

Describe chewing lice and sucking lice. What is the clinical significance of the two types of life?

Answer 4

Chewing - broad (compared to thorax) head, fine claws
Sucking - Narow head, crab like claws.

Sucking lice are more susceptible to systemic insecticide treatment.

Question 5

What type of life cycle do lice have?

Answer 5

Simple metamorphosis

Question 6

What might make an animal susceptible to pediculosis?

Answer 6

Thick coat e.g. during winter. Or another illness which causes the animal to stop grooming efficiently.

Question 7

What species have one type of louse?

Answer 7

Pigs - sucking
Cats - chewing
Poultry - chewing

Question 8

What is important to note in controling lice?

Answer 8

Eggs are resistant to treatment therefore two treatments need to be given 2-3 weeks apart.

Question 9

How can resistance be prevented?

Answer 9

By changing the type of chemical used.