Lice infestation in domestic birds of Wayanad, Kerala

摘要

The incidence of lice infestation of birds in Wayanad was studied. Among the 116 birds examined, 20 were positive for different species of lice viz; Menacanthus stramineus, Menopon gallinae, Columbicola columbae and Goniocotes bidentatus. The incidence of G.bidentatus is reported for the first time in Kerala. Lice are well adapted external parasites and usually more a nuisanc ethan a threat to their hosts. They are permanent parasites belonging to the Order Mallophaga. Lice infestation is incriminated as one of the most significant factors of production loss in traditional and intensive poultry rearing systems leading to mortality in severely affected chicks (Kauffman, 1996). Various workers have studied the incidence of lice infestation in poultryin India (Mohan, 1979; D'Souza and Jaganath, 1982; Saxena, 1995). Nevertheless, the information about the lice infestation among birds of Wayanad, Kerala is very scanty and hence this study was undertaken to identify the lice infesting the birds of thisarea.