Mallophaga

Mallophaga

The Mallophaga are a sub-order of the insect order the lice. The Mallophaga are the biting lice as opposed to the sucking lice.

What has this got to do with Rannoch Natural History, I hear you ask.

Well, most of the biting lice are parasites on birds although some attack mammals. The fact is that most birds have mallophagan parasites attached to the base of their feathers where they grip on with specially adapted claws. They feed on the feather or on blood. We might therefore say that every time you see a passing buzzard, peregrine, swift, robin, bluetit, heron or even golden eagle you will be witnessing an aerial vehicle with a cargo of biting lice. It has been discovered that the biting lice can only survive for about three days after the host dies and so they are what is known as obligate parasites - they have to be parasites. On the whole they don’t do the host bird any great harm although they are undoubtedly irritating.

Birds are sometimes given to having a dust bath and this is thought to help them get rid of parasites. It seems that very fine angular particles of dust can get into joints in the exoskeleton of insects and destroy water retaining membranes. The parasite dies from dehydration.

Birds such as starlings are known to pick up ants and pass them through their feathers. It may be that the squashed ant releases Formica acid which could help in getting rid of the parasites.