The ‘head’ and ‘body’ races of Pediculus humanus L.

Abstract

1. Measurements were made of the head length, head width, total body length, antenna length, length and breadth of 3rd antennal segment of head and body lice from natural infestations. In all measurements (except the last) the means were significantly different for. the two forms, but in all cases there was considerable overlap.2. Head lice reared continuously on the body for forty-three generations (over 2 years) did not change systematically in size. Body lice reared under similar conditions were likewise constant.3. There was a highly significant difference between mean measurements of all the samples of head lice reared for up to 2 years on the body when compared with body lice reared for a similar period in the same way. The means for lice worn 24 hr. per day were less than those worn 12 hr. per day in both strains. An experiment showed that this is probably due to a difference in average temperature.4. The mean live weights of head and body strains were even more distinct than linear dimensions on the several occasions when these were recorded.5. Measurements of the dimensions of the opercula of the eggs of the two races and the numbers of air cells in them were distributed in the same way as the body measurements: that is, distinct means but overlapping individuals.6. Ventral abdominal muscles in wild head lice are typically confined to segment 5. (The forty specimens examined adhered to this rule.) In wild body lice, muscles are usually also present in segment 4 as well.7. Hybrids (female body x male head louse) were fertile for several generations. In size, the F1 generation was intermediate, but the F2 and F3 generations became identical with the body louse strain.8. Eggs of the body louse strain hatched at the same time as those of the head strain, but the body strain reached a significantly higher percentage hatch.9. The times of moulting during development were studied in both races in relation to differing opportunities to feed (24, 12, 6 and 3 hr. per day). The two strains showed very similar reactions in regard to speed of development, but throughout there was a higher pre-imaginal mortality in the head strain.10. Head lice were shown to be considerably more susceptible to starvation than body lice.11. If adults of the two strains are mixed, there is no tendency towards homogeneous mating. Of the mixed matings, those between body louse males and head louse females are much more common than the reverse.12. Female head lice show a slight difference in their egg-laying preferences when offered a choice of hair, voile and tape.My thanks are due to Prof. P. A. Buxton, F.R.S., for a number of helpful suggestions based on his extensive knowledge of louse biology and to Dr J. O. Irwin for critical comments on the statistical issues.