The Mallophaga are a section of lice, known as chewing lice, biting lice, or bird lice, containing more than 3000 species. These lice are external parasites that feed mainly on birds, although some species also feed on mammals. They infest both domestic and wild mammals and birds, and cause considerable irritation to their hosts. They have paurometabolis or incomplete metamorphosis. Characteristics About 3000 species of Mallophaga are in the world. They are easily identifiable by their heads, which are wider than their prothoraces. Species that feed on birds usually have two claws at the tip of each tarsus, while those that feed on mammals usually have only one claw. Mallophaga have mandibulate mouthparts which are located on the ventral side of their heads. They use these mouthparts to feed on feathers, hair, and epidermal skin scales. Some species also use these mouthparts to feed on blood, which they obtain by piercing the pulp of young feathers or by gnawing through
Los Mallophaga son una sección de piojos, conocidos como piojos masticantes, piojos picantes o piojos de aves, que contienen más de 3000 especies. Estos piojos son parásitos externos que se alimentan principalmente de aves, aunque algunas especies también se alimentan de mamíferos. Infectan tanto a mamíferos domésticos como a aves silvestres, y causan considerable irritación a sus huéspedes. Tienen paurometabolis o metamorfosis incompleta. Características Aproximadamente 3000 especies de Mallophaga se encuentran en el mundo. Son fácilmente identificables por sus cabezas, que son más anchas que sus protoráceos. Las especies que se alimentan de aves generalmente tienen dos uñas en la punta de cada tarso, mientras que las que se alimentan de mamíferos generalmente tienen solo una uña.