ABSTRACT

Lice are small insects whose infestations in humans and animals have been recognized for thousands of years. With over 3000 described species, lice are classi‘ed in the order Phthiraptera (lice), which is further separated into four suborders (groups): Anoplura (sucking lice), Rhyncophthirina, Amblycera, and Ischnocera. Within the suborder Anoplura, 540 wingless species of obligate hematophagous ectoparasites on nearly all groups of mammals have been identi‘ed. Of these, the most important sucking lice in humans are head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) and body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) in the family Pediculidae, and pubic louse (or crab louse, Phthirus pubis) in the family Phthiridae.