Rearing hematophagous amblyceran lice in vitro is a challenging task. The hematophagous nature and active habits of amblycerans are distinct hurdles to in vitro rearing. The literature indicates only limited success in rearing the hematophagous amblyceran avian louse. Herein we report on the results of in vitro experimentation on an amblyceran pigeon louse, Hohorstiella lata. The incubation period of eggs was 5.47 ± 0.52 days. The durations of first, second, and third nymphal instars were 5.14 ± 0.55, 5.65 ± 0.83, and 6.35 ± 0.82 days, respectively. The average lifespan of adult females (7.45 ± 5.88 days) was higher than adult males (4.61 ± 3.57 days). Adult females laid a lifetime average of 3.73 eggs at a rate of 0.45 eggs/female/day under in vitro conditions (35 ± 1 C, 75–82% relative humidity, feather diet).
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14 April 2021
Preliminary Experimentations on the in Vitro Rearing of Hematophagous Pigeon Louse Hohorstiella lata (Amblycera: Phthiraptera: Insecta)
Ghazi Khan,
Shalini Roy,
Nidhi Gupta,
Aftab Ahmad,
Surendra Kumar
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Journal of Parasitology
Vol. 107 • No. 2
March 2021
Vol. 107 • No. 2
March 2021
Amblycera
Hohorstiella lata
in vitro
Phthiraptera
Pigeon louse