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Glite Dictionary
Mallophaga

Mallophaga

9.9
Small insects that live on birds and some mammals and eat skin, feathers or hair
  • noun
  • /ˌmæl.əˈfɑː.ɡə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : Mallofágidos
  • Researchers found several species of Mallophaga infesting the feathers of migratory birds.

Examples

  • Veterinarians sometimes identify Mallophaga during routine examinations of pet birds.

  • The host-specific nature of Mallophaga makes them useful for studying parasite-host relationships.

  • The Mallophaga infestation affected the health of many birds.

  • Many species of Mallophaga are found in tropical regions.

  • Researchers found several species of Mallophaga infesting the feathers of migratory birds.

  • Veterinarians sometimes identify Mallophaga during routine examinations of pet birds.

  • The Mallophaga infestation affected the health of many birds.

Synonyms

order Mallophaga
vsMallophaga
  • Archaic
9.9

A group of small insects that bite and live on birds and some mammals

refers to the same group using a shorter phrase without the rank word

Compounds

order Mallophaga
  • Archaic
9.9

A group of small insects that bite and live on birds and some mammals

Surface Forms

Mallophaga singular
Mallophagas plural

Etymology

Mallophaga comes from the Greek parts mallos 'wool' (by extension 'hair' or 'feather') and phagein 'to eat'. So Mallophaga literally means 'wool-eaters', a fitting name for the biting lice that feed on birds' feathers or mammals' hair.