Evidence from double infestations for the specific status of human head lice and body lice (Anoplura)

Abstract

Abstract Samples of head lice and body lice obtained from Ethiopians suffering from double infestations were mounted onto microscope slides and measured. The mean length of body lice (♀ 4.4mm; ♂ 3.8mm) was greater than that of head lice (♀ 3.5 mm; ♂ 2.9mm), but the best discriminant was the length of the tibia of the middle leg (♀ 425/296 μ♂421/291 μ). No intermediate specimens were found in these double infestations, although intermediates can can be produced experimentally by cross‐mating. Since populations of head lice and body lice remain distinct it is concluded that they represent two distinct species, Pediculus capitis De Geer and P. humanus Linneaus.