Host-Parasite Associations and New Records of Chewing Lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) from Raptors (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, Strigiformes) Encountered in Egypt

Abstract

Compared to many other groups of parasitic insects, the chewing louse fauna of the Middle East remains poorly known. Our attempts to alleviate this data deficiency include this report of lice that we found on five species of raptors in Egypt. From a total of 12 birds, we recovered four new records of chewing lice for Egypt: Colpocephalum milvi Tendeiro, Restivo & Demartis; Laemobothrion maximum (Scopoli); Colpocephalum percnopteri Price & Beer; and Laemobothrion vulturis (F.). We also recovered additional records for Egypt of Degeeriella regalis (Giebel), Colpocephalum turbinatum Denny, and Strigiphilus cursitans (Nitzsch [in Giebel]). The record of S. cursitans constitutes a new host association, Bubo ascalaphus Savigny. We provide measurements, taxonomic and ecological notes for all identified chewing louse specimens.