Large Turkey Louse vs Shaft Louse
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Turkey Louse | Shaft Louse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chelopistes meleagridis | Menopon gallinae |
| Order | Phthiraptera | Phthiraptera |
| Family | Philopteridae | Menoponidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 1.5-2 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America, Europe | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Large Turkey Louse
The largest louse found on domestic turkeys, feeding on feather material. It prefers the breast and thigh feathers of its host.
Did You Know?
Benjamin Franklin studied this louse while advocating for the turkey as America's national bird.
Shaft Louse
A fast-moving louse found on the feather shafts of chickens and other poultry. It feeds primarily on feather barbs and can cause significant plumage damage.
Did You Know?
Shaft lice can run so quickly across feathers that they are difficult to catch even with practiced fingers during bird examinations.