Large Turkey Louse vs Turnip Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Turkey Louse | Turnip Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chelopistes meleagridis | Athalia rosae |
| Order | Phthiraptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Philopteridae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America, Europe | Europe, Asia |
| 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.
Turnip Sawfly
A small orange and black sawfly whose larvae defoliate brassica crops.
Did You Know?
Larvae sequester glucosinolates from their food plants for chemical defense.