PEDICULIDAE Meaning and
Definition
-
The Pediculidae is a family of wingless parasitic insects commonly known as lice. They belong to the order Phthiraptera, which includes several species that solely depend on living as ectoparasites on birds or mammals. The family Pediculidae specifically encompasses lice that infest humans, also referred to as human lice.
Members of the Pediculidae family have flattened bodies, allowing them to move easily through the hair or feathers of their hosts. They possess specialized claw-like appendages on their legs that enable them to cling firmly to the hair or feathers, preventing them from being easily dislodged.
Lice are obligate parasites, meaning they depend entirely on their hosts for survival and reproduction. They feed on the blood of their host using specialized mouthparts, which they insert into the skin to access the blood vessels beneath. The saliva of lice contains anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting and facilitate feeding.
Infestations of Pediculidae lice in humans can lead to discomfort and itching, causing the host to scratch the affected areas. Scratching can cause secondary infections and skin irritations. Lice infestations are commonly spread through direct contact, such as sharing personal items like clothing, hats, or brushes with an infested individual.
Effective treatment for Pediculidae infestations involves the use of specialized medicated shampoos or lotions specifically designed to kill adult lice and their eggs. Additionally, thorough cleaning of infested items and environments is essential to prevent reinfestation.
Common Misspellings for PEDICULIDAE
- oediculidae
- lediculidae
- -ediculidae
- 0ediculidae
- pwdiculidae
- psdiculidae
- pddiculidae
- prdiculidae
- p4diculidae
- p3diculidae
- pesiculidae
- pexiculidae
- peciculidae
- peficulidae
- periculidae
- peeiculidae
- peduculidae
- pedjculidae
- pedkculidae
- pedicilidae
Etymology of PEDICULIDAE
The word "Pediculidae" is derived from the combination of two root words:
1. "Pediculus" - It comes from the Latin word "pēdiculus", which means "small louse" or "parasitic insect". This term refers to a group of blood-sucking insects commonly known as lice.
2. "-idae" - This is a suffix borrowed from Latin and used in biological taxonomy to indicate a family. It is derived from the Latin word "idae", which was in turn derived from the Ancient Greek suffix "-idai", meaning "offspring" or "belonging to".
By combining "Pediculus" and "-idae", we get "Pediculidae", which refers to the family of lice.
Similar spelling words for PEDICULIDAE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
