Shaft Louse vs Pubic Louse
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Shaft Louse | Pubic Louse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Menopon gallinae | Pthirus pubis |
| Order | Phthiraptera | Phthiraptera |
| Family | Menoponidae | Pthiridae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 1.5-2 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Pubic Louse
A broad, crab-shaped louse that infests coarse body hair, primarily in the pubic region. It is transmitted through intimate contact.
Did You Know?
Pubic lice are more closely related to gorilla lice than to human head lice, suggesting an ancient host-switching event between primate species.