Danial Rehman and Joseph Celeste

Abstract:

Lice are well-known pests of mammals and birds and cause economic losses for livestock and poultry producers. Understanding how hosts combat these parasites may lead to novel parasite control strategies. Birds possess a uropygial (preen) gland that produces a mix of waxes and oils that are anointed onto feathers with the bill while preening. Preen oil may act as a chemical defense against parasites. In a series of experiments, we tested the behavioral responses of feather-feeding lice to preen oil. Our preliminary results suggest that lice are not harmed by preen oil and may actually be attracted to components of preen oil.