How do chicken lice and fleas look? - briefly
Chicken lice are tiny, wingless insects measuring 1–3 mm, flattened, pale‑to‑brown, and clinging to feathers where they appear as small, slow‑moving specks. Chicken fleas are slightly larger (2–4 mm), dark brown, laterally flattened with strong hind legs for rapid jumps, visible as quick, jumping dots on the bird’s skin.
How do chicken lice and fleas look? - in detail
Chicken lice (Cnemidocoptes spp. and Menopon spp.) are tiny, wingless insects measuring 1–3 mm in length. Their bodies are flattened laterally, facilitating movement through feathers. The head bears a short, curved proboscis used for feeding on skin debris and blood. Antennae consist of 6–8 segments, appearing as fine, pale filaments. Legs are six in total, each ending in claw‑like tarsi that grip feather shafts. Color ranges from translucent white to light gray, sometimes taking on a pinkish hue after a blood meal. Under magnification, the exoskeleton shows a smooth, glossy cuticle with faint segmentation.
Fleas (Ctenocephalides spp. and Pulex irritans) that infest chickens are slightly larger, typically 2–4 mm long. Their bodies are laterally compressed, forming a narrow, elongated silhouette. The thorax is robust, bearing powerful hind legs adapted for jumping; each hind leg ends in a strong, curved tibial spur. The head bears a short, serrated mouthpart (a piercing‑sucking stylet) for extracting blood. Antennae are short, concealed beneath the head capsule. Color varies from reddish‑brown to dark brown, often with a glossy sheen. The abdomen appears segmented, filled with blood after feeding, giving a distended, darker appearance.
Key visual distinctions:
- Size: lice 1–3 mm, fleas 2–4 mm.
- Body shape: lice flattened, smooth; fleas laterally compressed with pronounced hind legs.
- Legs: lice have six short legs with claws; fleas have six legs, the hind pair markedly larger for jumping.
- Color: lice generally pale or pinkish; fleas reddish‑brown to dark brown.
- Mouthparts: lice possess a short proboscis; fleas have a serrated piercing‑sucking stylet.
Recognizing these characteristics enables accurate identification of the two ectoparasites on poultry.