[Analyses of the population structures of Mallophaga infesting urban pigeons]. / Analiza struktur populacyjnych wszolów u golebi miejskich.

A total of 70 pigeons from Cracow area was examined and the representation of bird lice (Mallophaga) infesting them estimated. Mostly the populations of two dominant species: Columbicola columbae columbae (L.) and Campanulotes bidentatus compar (Burm.) were assessed. 47% of birds inspected had less than 100 specimens of Mallophaga, although the highest infested one had 900 specimens. Sex and age of pigeons did not influence the number of bird lice present, and only weak health condition of individuals allowed higher infestation. The sex structure of ectoparasites was balanced, with a slightly higher number of females during the year of study. The highest number of bird lice was detected in autunm and the larvae definitely predominated then, as well. Similar tendency was observed in C. c. columbae populations. The course of age dynamic of C. b. compar was somewhat different, having the peak in July, and the imago stage dominated in this species. The populations of in C. c. columbae showed developmental signs, whereas the population structures of C. b. compar gave evidence of their regression.

[Mallophaga of pigeons in Cracow]. / Wszoly u golebi z Krakowa.

Infestation of Columba livia domestica GMELIN with Mallophaga has been investigated in both, breeding and feral pigeons. All pigeons came from the area of Cracow. Five species of Mallophaga have been distinguished: Columbicola columbae columbae (L.), Campanulotes bidentatus compar (BURM.), Coloceras damicornis fahrenholzi EICHLER, Hohorstiella gigantea lata (PIAG.), Neocolpocephalum (Neocolpocephalum) turbinatum (DENNY). It appeared that the first two of the above-mentioned species showed the highest intensity of occurrence. The most frequent was the mixed invasion of these two species. Research on infestation with Mallophaga with regard to the origin of pigeons showed bigger infestation of breeding pigeons, besides, the females were more intensively infested that the males. The higher degree of infestation occurred in old and weak pigeons.

[Observations on the vitality of lice from dead pigeons]. / Obserwacje nad zywotnoscia wszolów z martwych golebi.

Experiments were carried out in July, September, October 1993 and January 1994 on 48 dead pigeons kept in cold storage (refrigerating machine) and at a window. The behaviour of Mallophaga was observed. The insects left the feather after the cooling of the bird body, usually after 24 hours. The process lasted 3 days in cold storage conditions, while in outdoor (open-air) environment the Mallophaga were still alive for another 14 days. The vitality of Mallophaga is bigger in open-air, in moderately higher temperature and in warmer seasons of the year. The examined representants of three species dominating in infestation demonstrated varying suitability for survival in harder conditions. The reaction of Hohorstiella gigantea lata (PIAG.) to the drop of temperature was the fastest, while Columbicola columbae columbae (L.) reacted more slowly and the reaction of the Campanulotes bidentatus compar (BURM.) was the slowest. Also the reaction of larvae to falling temperatures was faster that that of the adult forms.