Mallophaga

Translingual

Menacanthus stramineus, nymphs, on a chicken feather (now suborder Amblycera)

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Proper noun

Mallophaga

1. (obsolete) A taxonomic suborder within the order Phthiraptera – the chewing lice.

Usage notes

• Mallophaga is a traditional grouping recently found to be paraphyletic; it has been replaced by three suborders: Amblycera (a primitive suborder widespread on birds, also found on South American and Australian mammals), Ischnocera (mostly avian parasites, but including one family that lives on mammals) and Rhynchophthirina (parasites of elephants and warthogs).

References

• Louse on Wikipedia.Wikipedia