Phthiraptera Collection

Engraving depicting a flea and a louse, 18th century
5309424 Engraving depicting a flea and a louse, 18th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a flea and a louse. Dated 18th century 01/02/1774); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Head Louse (Pediculus humanus capitus) Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA

Pthirus pubis, crab louse
A crab louse with a body length 3.5 mm, this species of louse is known to sometimes infest the human body

Human Louse, Pediculus humanus, top view

Feather louse claw, SEM C016 / 9043
Feather louse claw. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a claw from a louse (order Phthiraptera) that lives in bird feathers. Magnification: x300, when printed 10 centimetres tall

Feather louse claw, SEM C016 / 9042
Feather louse claw. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a claw from a louse (order Phthiraptera) that lives in bird feathers. Magnification: x300, when printed 10 centimetres wide

Barklouse in amber
A Barklouse, Pscoptera preserved in Dominican amber. Specimen dates from the Lower Miocene

Porcellio sp. woodlouse

Copepod parasite
Specimen jar containing copepod parasites, which live on the body surface of salmon and in large numbers can cause damage to the fish. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Glyptonotus antarcticus

Sipha glyceriae, aphids
Aphid or plant lice are small, plant-sucking insects. Aphids tend to form in clusters and prefer young shoots and succulent leaves

De-lousing illustration
A Hortus watercolour published in 1491 which illustrates de-lousing in Hortus Sanitatis from Mediaeval Natural History

Pthirus gorillae, gorilla louse
Photomicrograph of a gorilla louse specimen, length 2.5 mm from Rwanda / Zaire. The gorilla louse is from the same genus as the human louse

Filossera della vite
Tav. 3a. Illustrations of various mites and lice from Conoscenza delle Fillosserine 1912 by B. Grassi

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Phthiraptera, commonly known as lice, are a diverse group of parasitic insects that infest various animals and humans. Among the most well-known species is the Head Louse (Pediculus humanus capitus), which can be found in abundance at Brackenridge Field Laboratory in Austin, Travis County. Another notorious member is Pthirus pubis, also known as the crab louse, which infests the pubic region. The Human Louse (Pediculus humanus) is another common species that affects humans worldwide. Its top view reveals its intricate body structure and specialized adaptations for clinging onto hair strands. Feather lice are another fascinating type within Phthiraptera; their claws exhibit remarkable details when observed under a scanning electron microscope. Interestingly, not all lice exclusively target mammals or birds. Some species like barklice can be found trapped in amber from ancient times while others like Porcellio sp. , belonging to the woodlouse family, inhabit terrestrial environments. Phthiraptera encompasses more than just lice; it also includes other parasites such as copepods. These tiny crustaceans attach themselves to marine organisms like Glyptonotus antarcticus and feed on their host's blood or tissues. Phthiraptera represents an intriguing group of insects with diverse lifestyles and hosts ranging from humans to birds and even marine creatures. Their ability to adapt and survive across different ecosystems showcases their evolutionary success throughout history.