Virtual Exhibit on Canada´s Biodiversity

	Metamorphoses: simple North American Families: 16 North American Species: 1000	Phthiraptera Lice Feeding Habits: All lice are parasitic. Chewing lice are external parasites of birds and mammals. They feed on bits of hair, feathers or skin of the host. Sucking lice are parasitic on mammals including humans and feed on blood.
	Description: Lice are small insects with oval or elongated, flattened bodies. They are pale, yellow to brown or bluish, with dark brown or black spots or bands. All lice are wingless. The antennae and eyes are small and the legs are short with strong claws. There are two main groups of lice, recognized by differences in their mouthparts. Sucking lice have specialized sucking mouthparts while chewing lice have chewing mouthparts.
	Comments: Sucking lice can cause great damage to their host animal. Heavily infested animals become run-down and emaciated and are more susceptible to diseases. Some species of sucking lice are vectors for diseases such as typhus. Two species of sucking lice attack humans.

	Families in this Order
	Pediculidae: Human body lice Size: 2 to 4 mm North American Species: 1