Two new species of Philopteroides (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) of the beckeri species-group, from New Guinean painted berrypeckers (Aves: Passeriformes: Paramythiidae).

Two new species of the louse genus Philopteroides Mey, 2004 are described and illustrated from two host species of painted berrypeckers, endemic to New Guinea: Philopteroides sinancorellus n. sp. ex Oreocharis arfaki (Meyer, 1875) (tit berrypecker), and Philopteroides gigas n. sp. ex Paramythia montium De Vis, 1892 (crested berrypecker). Both louse species belong to the beckeri species-group based on their short, broad preantennal areas, and shallow median indentations of the hyaline margin. The description of these two new species brings the total number of Philopteroides species to 15. An amended key to the beckeri species-group is included.

Residual and ovicidal efficacy of essential oil-based formulations in vitro against the donkey chewing louse Bovicola ocellatus.

Essential oils have shown good experimental potential as novel veterinary ectoparasiticides. However, if they are to be used as veterinary products, they must be available in formulations that are suitable for practical application against specific ectoparasites. Here, the efficacies of formulations containing 5% (v/v) lavender or tea tree oil, in combination with two emulsifiers [a surfactant, 5% (w/v) N-lauroylsarcosine sodium salt (SLS), and a soluble polymer, 5% (w/v) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)], with or without 10% coconut oil, were tested in contact bioassays against the donkey chewing louse Bovicola ocellatus (Piaget) (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae). Residual activity was quantified in open and closed containers; ovicidal efficacy was also examined. Exposure to either of 5% (v/v) lavender or tea tree oils with SLS or PVP resulted in louse mortality of 100%, but when coconut oil was included as an excipient, significantly lower efficacy was recorded. However, the formulations became significantly less effective after 2 h in open containers and 40 h in closed containers. The results confirm that the residual activity of essential oils is relatively transitory and the addition of 10% coconut oil does not prolong the period of insecticidal activity by slowing essential oil evaporation. Too short a period of residual activity is likely to be a significant impediment to the effective practical use of essential oils. However, unlike many synthetic pediculicides, the essential oils tested here were highly ovicidal, which suggests that prolonged residual activity may not be essential to kill newly hatched nymphs after treatment.

Four new species of Brueelia Kéler, 1936 (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) from African songbirds (Passeriformes: Sturnidae and Laniidae).

Four new species in the louse genus Brueelia Kéler, 1936 are described from African hosts of the families Sturnidae and Laniidae. They are: Brueelia rigbyi n. sp. ex Corvinella melanoleuca (Jardine, 1831), B. clara n. sp. ex Lamprotornis australis (A. Smith, 1836), B. tkachi n. sp. ex Spreo albicapillus albicapillus Blyth, 1856, and B. coryliventer n. sp. ex Creatophora cinerea (Meuschen, 1787). These four species are characterized by a unique abdominal chaetotaxy and a sinuous thickening of the distal margin of the male mesosome. These four species are very similar, and we consider them to form one species group. A key to the species of the group is provided.

The Chewing Lice (Insecta, Phthiraptera) Fauna of the Swainson's Warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii (Aves, Parulidae).

We examined Swainson's warblers (Limnothlypis swainsonii (Audubon, 1834), Aves: Parulidae) for lice fauna during 2 yr at three study sites in Arkansas, USA. A total of 66 individuals were examined; eight birds (10.6%) were parasitized with 16 lice of two new species belonging to two genera Myrsidea Waterson, 1915 (Amblycera: Menoponidae) and Brueelia Kéler, 1936 (Ischnocera: Philopteridae). Parasitological parameter data are given on the prevalence of lice on Swainson's warblers. Species descriptions and illustrations are provided for Myrsidea bensoni sp. nov. and Brueelia limnothlypiae sp. nov.; including a key for females of the genus Myrsidea that parasitize Parulidae (Passeriformes).

A new genus and two new species of feather lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) from New Zealand endemic passerines (Aves: Passeriformes).

The first descriptions of New Zealand endemic feather lice belonging to the Brueelia-complex (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) are given. The new genus Melibrueelia and new species M. novaeseelandiae are described, illustrated and compared with morphologically close taxa within the complex. The type host of M. novaeseelandiae is the tui, Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae (Gmelin, 1788), and an additional host is the bellbird, Anthornis melanura (Sparrman, 1786) (Passeriformes: Meliphagidae), both endemic to New Zealand. Also, the new species Brueelia callaeincola is described and illustrated from four endemic bird species belonging to two endemic genera and an endemic family: Philesturnus carunculatus (Gmelin, 1789) (the type host), Ph. rufusater (Lesson, 1828), Callaeas cinerea (Gmelin, 1788) and C. wilsoni (Bonaparte, 1851) (Passeriformes: Callaeidae). Brief discussions on possible evolutionary histories of the new taxa are included.

Two new species of Paraphilopterus Mey, 2004 (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) from New Guinean bowerbirds (Passeriformes: Ptilonorhynchidae) and satinbirds (Passeriformes: Cnemophilidae).

Two new species of Paraphilopterus Mey, 2004 are described and named. Paraphilopterus knutieae n. sp. is described from two subspecies of Macgregor's bowerbirds: Amblyornis macgregoriae nubicola Schodde & McKean, 1973 and A. m. kombok Schodde & McKean, 1973, and Sanford's bowerbird: Archboldia sanfordi (Mayr & Gilliard, 1950) (Ptilonorhynchidae). Paraphilopterus meyi n. sp. is described from two subspecies of crested satinbirds: Cnemophilus macgregorii macgregorii De Vis, 1890 and C. m. sanguineus Iredale, 1948 (Cnemophilidae). These new louse species represent the first records of the genus Paraphilopterus outside Australia, as well as from host families other than the Corcoracidae. The description of Paraphilopterus is revised and expanded based on the additional new species, including the first description of the male of this genus. Also, we provide a key to the species of Paraphilopterus.

Reproduction, development and habits of the large turkey louse Chelopistes meleagridis (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) under laboratory conditions.

The bionomy of Chelopistes meleagridis off the host was observed with the aim of better understanding the aspects of this species' life cycle. For this purpose, C. meleagridis adults were collected and maintained under controlled conditions to reproduce (35°C and RH > 80%), with turkey feathers as the food source. From the offspring of these lice, the development of 150 individuals was observed from the egg to the adult phase. These eggs were divided into two groups of 75 each. After hatching, one group was given a diet composed of feathers while the other received feathers plus skin of the host turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). The "feather + skin" diet resulted in the greatest number of adults, so this diet was given to the next generation of lice reared in vitro, starting from the first instar, to observe their fertility, fecundity and longevity. High reproduction rates were found in relation to other lice of the Ischnocera sub-order, particularly the number of eggs per day and number of eggs produced per female over the lifetime (means of 2.54 and 26.61 eggs, respectively, for wild females and 2.11 and 29.33 eggs for laboratory-reared females). The inclusion of skin in the diet was a determining factor for development to the adult stage, since 48% of the lice fed this diet reached that stage, versus 1.3% that reached maturity fed only with feathers. The development time of the males and females was similar (mean of 29.38 days), without any difference in the sexual proportion of the adults.

A review of the louse genus Tinamotaecola (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Philopteridae sensu lato), with description of a new species.

We studied a collection of lice from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Chile containing all four known species and one new species (described herein) in the genus Tinamotaecola, parasites of birds of the families Cariamidae and Tinamidae. We also (1) describe previously unknown second and third nymphal instars of two Tinamotaecola species, (2) discuss hosts and geographical ranges for all Tinamotaecola species, and (3) speculate on possible macroevolutionary events that may explain the current distribution of these lice on their respective avian hosts. 

A new species and five new records of chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) from an isolated population of the solitary tinamou Tinamus solitarius (Aves: Tinamiformes).

We report the first records of chewing lice from an isolated population of the solitary tinamou (formerly known as Tinamus solitarius pernambucensis Berla, 1946) in the Pernambuco Centre of Endemism (PCE), Brazil. All louse records previously published from the solitary tinamou came from the populations south of the São Francisco River, formerly known as Tinamus solitarius solitarius (Vieillot, 1819). Five known species of the family Heptapsogasteridae were identified from the northern population of this host: Heptarthrogaster grandis Carriker, 1936; Ornicholax alienus (Giebel, 1874); Pterocotes solitarius Guimarães & Lane, 1937; Rhopaloceras oniscus (Nitzsch [in Giebel], 1866); and Strongylocotes wernecki Guimarães & Lane, 1937. Also, the new species Heptagoniodes guimaraesi is described and illustrated from the northern population of this host, and a key for identification of all the species of Heptagoniodes Carriker, 1936 is included. The discovery of H. guimaraesi is the first Brazilian example of a bird ectoparasite represented by two different species of the same genus living on two distinct populations of the same host species. Records of eight louse species and 31 new localities from the southern population of the solitary tinamou in Brazil are given, and an updated list of all the chewing lice known from both host populations [subspecies] is included.

Reproduction, development and habits of the large turkey louse Chelopistes meleagridis (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) under laboratory conditions / Reprodução, desenvolvimento e hábitos de Chelopistes meleagridis (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) em laboratório

The bionomy of Chelopistes meleagridis off the host was observed with the aim of better understanding the aspects of this species' life cycle. For this purpose, C. meleagridis adults were collected and maintained under controlled conditions to reproduce (35°C and RH > 80%), with turkey feathers as the food source. From the offspring of these lice, the development of 150 individuals was observed from the egg to the adult phase. These eggs were divided into two groups of 75 each. After hatching, one group was given a diet composed of feathers while the other received feathers plus skin of the host turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). The “feather + skin” diet resulted in the greatest number of adults, so this diet was given to the next generation of lice reared in vitro, starting from the first instar, to observe their fertility, fecundity and longevity. High reproduction rates were found in relation to other lice of the Ischnocera sub-order, particularly the number of eggs per day and number of eggs produced per female over the lifetime (means of 2.54 and 26.61 eggs, respectively, for wild females and 2.11 and 29.33 eggs for laboratory-reared females). The inclusion of skin in the diet was a determining factor for development to the adult stage, since 48% of the lice fed this diet reached that stage, versus 1.3% that reached maturity fed only with feathers. The development time of the males and females was similar (mean of 29.38 days), without any difference in the sexual proportion of the adults.

A bionomia de Chelopistes meleagridis fora do hospedeiro foi observada com o objetivo de compreender aspectos relacionados ao ciclo de vida desta espécie. Para isto, adultos de C. meleagridis foram coletados e colocados em condições controladas (temperatura de 35°C e umidade relativa superior a 80%) para se reproduzir, oferecendo-se pena como alimento. Da prole destes adultos, foi observado o desenvolvimento de 150 indivíduos desde o ovo até a fase adulta. Para 75 destes, foi oferecida a dieta composta de pena, enquanto para os outros 75 a dieta foi composta de pena e pele do hospedeiro (peru, Meleagris gallopavo). Ao verificar que a dieta “pena + pele” foi a que resultou no maior número de adultos, foram observadas a fertilidade, fecundidade e a longevidade de piolhos criados in vitro desde o primeiro ínstar alimentados com esta dieta. Valores altos relacionados à reprodução desta espécie foram encontrados em relação a outros piolhos da subordem Ischnocera, destacando-se: número de ovos produzidos por dia e número de ovos produzidos por fêmeas durante a vida (médias de 2,54 e 26,61 ovos, respectivamente, para fêmeas selvagens e 2,11 e 29,33 ovos, respectivamente, para fêmeas criadas in vitro.). A inclusão de pele na dieta foi determinante para o desenvolvimento até o estágio adulto, uma vez que 48% dos piolhos alimentados com essa dieta atingiram a fase adulta. Quando foi oferecido apenas pena, 1,3% dos piolhos atingiram a maturidade. O tempo de desenvolvimento de machos e fêmeas foi semelhante (média de 29,38 dias) sem haver diferença na proporção sexual dos adultos.

Comparative ectoparasite loads of five seabird species in the Galapagos Islands.

In this paper we describe the ectoparasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) found on 5 species of seabirds (magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens; great frigatebird Fregata minor ; Nazca booby Sula granti ; blue-footed booby Sula nebouxii ; and red-footed booby Sula sula ) on the Galapagos Archipelago. We found 9 species of ectoparasitic lice: 5 species of Pectinopygus ischnocerans, 1 infesting each host; 2 species of Colpocephalum amblyceran lice, 1 on each frigatebird species; and 2 shared amblycerans, Eidmanniella albescens (Piaget, 1880) found on Nazca and blue-footed boobies and Fregatiella aurifasciata (Kellogg, 1899) found on the 2 frigatebirds. We tested the relative importance and interactions of host sex, body size, host, island, host family, and breeding status and found that inter-island differences were the main predictors of prevalence and infestation intensity. These differences could be related to host density or weather, but further evidence is needed.

Population levels of Phthiraptera on greylag goose, Anser anser (L.).

OBJECTIVE: The present study was performed to record the mean monthly prevalence, intensity of infestation, sample mean abundance and frequency distribution pattern of one phthirapteran species infesting of A. anseris. METHODS: Ten birds were examined every month. Infested birds were deloused. The bird was placed in a polythene bag containing a wool of cotton soaked in chloroform (head protruded out to allow breathing). After 10 minutes, the bird's feathers were ruffled on a white plastic sheet placed below. The head was examined separately. The louse load was transferred to 70% alcohol and separated stage wise and sex wise. RESULTS: A total of 339 specimens of A. anseris were recovered from 66 infested hosts. Male-female ratio was 1: 1.8. Prevalence of Anaticola anseris was 55% (n=120). The sample mean abundance was 2.38 lice/bird. Variance to mean ratio exceeded unity (10.70). The index of discrepancy (D) was 0.75 and the value of exponent of negative binomial (k) remained 0.334.The observed and expected frequencies did not differ significantly (χ2= 13.33, df= 15, p=0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of A. anseris on Indian greylag goose was high but its intensity remained quite low. The distribution pattern of A. anseris conformed the negative binomial model.The temperature, photoperiod and heat index exhibited significant positive correlations with the prevalence of A. anseris.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) found on songbirds (Passeriformes) in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to detect chewing lice species found on the songbirds at Lake Kuyucuk bird ringing station in the Kars province located in eastern Turkey. METHODS: Chewing lice were collected from songbirds captured between September and October 2009. Fifty-one birds belonging to 22 species and 16 genera from 10 families were examined for the louse. RESULTS: Eleven of 51 birds (21.57%) belonging to 7 species; were infested with at least one chewing louse species. The collected lice were identified as Menacanthus chrysophaeus (Kellogg, 1896) on Reed Bunting, Menacanthus pusillus (Nitzsch,1866) on Water Pipits, Calandra Lark and Yellow Wagtail, Myrsidea rustica (Giebel,1874) on Swallow, Brueelia cruciata (Burmeister,1838) on Red-backed Shrike, and Penenirmus rarus (Zlotorzycka,1976) on Chiffchaff. All four Reed Bunting specimens were infested with Menacanthus chrysophaeus. The rate of infestation was 100% in Reed Bunting, Red-backed Shrike and Swallow; 66.7% in Yellow Wagtail; 50% in Calandra Lark and Chiffchaff and 11.1% in Water Pipits. No louse infestation was found in the birds belonging to Paridae, Passeridae, Sylviidae, and Muscipapidae families. CONCLUSION: Menacanthus chrysophaeus on Reed Bunting and Menacanthus pusillus on Calandra Lark are new hosts for these lice species. All the louse species determined in the present study are first records for Turkey.