MALLOPH'AGA (Neo-Lat. nom. pl., from Gk. 1107,4, mallos, wool -L phagein, to eat). An order of wingless parasitic insects, commonly called 'hint lice' or 'biting lice.' fhe latter name is preferable, since they occur upon mammals as well as upon birds, and are dis tinguished from the true lice of the hemipterons family (see Lorsr.) by possessing biting mouth-parts. They do not suck blood as do the true lice, but feed upon the feathers or hair of the birds or mammals upon which they are found, jutst as do the bird mites. (See MITE.) The metamorphosis is incomplete: the body is greatly flattened and generally hard: the head is large and flat : the antenme are short and from three to five jointed : the eyes ale simple. and the jaws are usually toothed and pointed. The front legs are short, and arc used only in carrying food to the mouth. projecting forward beneath the head when the insect is at rest. The other legs are strong, and the whole body is usually rather hairy. The eggs are elenqate-oval, and are fastened singly to the feathers or hairs of the host animal. The young issue by breaking of a circular lid at the free and of the egg.
Five species of bird lice, belonging to three dis tinct genera, have been found upon the common domestic chicken. Nearly all are cosmopolitan species, and have been carried to all parts of the world. Goniocotes hologaster is the e01111110DeSt of these, although Goniocotcs abdominalis is also very abundant. Lipeuras opticians, is a common form found upon pigeons, and Lipeuras polytra pc,:ius occurs abundantly upon turkeys. The dome:tic cat is often infested by Trichodeetcs SUbrOSI Mills, and the dog by Triehodeetes lotus, The habit which fowls have of scratching in the dust and throwing it over their hacks is an in dication that they are infested. The best remedy consists iu the free use of pyrethrum or Persian insect powder and of kerosene.
Consult: Osborn, insects Affecting Domestic Animals(Department of Agriculture, Washington, 1896) ; Kellogg, "A List of the Biting Lice taken from Birds and Mammals of North Amer iea." in Proceedings of the United States al Museum (Washington, 1899).