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Glite Dictionary
order Mallophaga

order Mallophaga

9.9
A group of small insects that bite and live on birds and some mammals
  • noun
  • /ˈɔrdər ˌmæləˈfɑɡə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : orden Mallophaga
  • The order Mallophaga includes many species that infest the feathers of birds.

Examples

  • Poultry farmers are concerned about infestations by lice from the order Mallophaga.

  • Scientists reclassified members of the order Mallophaga based on genetic evidence.

  • The order Mallophaga includes various species of biting lice.

  • Many birds are affected by the order Mallophaga.

  • Poultry farmers are concerned about infestations by lice from the order Mallophaga.

  • The order Mallophaga includes many species that infest the feathers of birds.

  • Scientists reclassified members of the order Mallophaga based on genetic evidence.

Synonyms

Mallophaga
vsorder Mallophaga
  • Archaic
9.9

Small insects that live on birds and some mammals and eat skin, feathers or hair

is the formal taxonomic label for that same group rather than the common form

Surface Forms

order Mallophaga singular
order Mallophagas plural

Morphology

order + Mallophaga

The noun phrase combines 'order' (a taxonomic grouping) with the name 'Mallophaga' (a group of insects), so its meaning — the taxonomic order comprising Mallophaga biting lice — is directly derivable from the constituents. This compositional naming pattern (rank + taxon name) is standard in biology and cross-linguistically common, so a learner who knows both words will understand the MWE.

Etymology

The name order Mallophaga comes from old Greek parts mallo- meaning 'wool' or 'hair' and -phaga meaning 'eat', so it literally says 'wool-eaters'. This image helps you remember them: these tiny biting lice live on birds and some mammals and feed on feathers and skin, so the name was used for the group of biting lice.