Amblycera
The Amblycera are a large suborder of
lice,
parasitic on both
birds and
mammals. The Amblycera are considered the most primitive suborder of lice. They roam freely over the surface of their
host and, unlike other lice, do not form permanent attachments. They feed by chewing soft areas of skin, causing an area of localised bleeding from which they drink.
The Amblycera are divided into six families:
- Boopidae
- Gyropidae
- Laemobothriidae
- Menoponidae
- Ricinidae
- Trimenoponidae