Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Mallophaga
‖
Mal-loph′a-ga
(măl-lŏf′ȧ-gȧ)
, Noun.
pl.
[NL., fr. Gr.
μαλλόσ
a lock of wool + φαγεῖν
to eat.] (Zool.)
An extensive group of insects which are parasitic on birds and mammals, and feed on the feathers and hair; – called also
bird lice
. See Bird louse
, under Bird
. Definition 2024
Mallophaga
Mallophaga
Translingual
Menacanthus stramineus, nymphs, on a chicken feather (now suborder Amblycera)
Proper noun
Mallophaga
- (obsolete) A taxonomic suborder within the order Phthiraptera — the chewing lice.
Usage notes
Mallophaga is a traditional grouping recently found to be paraphyletic; it has been replaced by three suborders: Amblycera (a primitive suborder widespread on birds, also found on South American and Australian mammals), Ischnocera (mostly avian parasites, but including one family that lives on mammals) and Rhynchophthirina (parasites of elephants and warthogs).