A note on the haematophagous nature of poultry shaft louse, (Amblycera: Phthiraptera).

An analysis of the crop contents of the poultry shaft louse, indicates that 67 % of adult males and 72 % of the adult females examined carried red content compatible to host blood, along with feather barbules. The percentage of nymphal instars carrying red content in the crop was quite low. On the basis of crop contents the louse does not seem to harbor any triturating agent and is also not involved in cannibalism or predation. SEM studies on the ventral side of head do not indicate the presence of any pointed structure which can be used to pierce the skin.