Laemobothriidae  

Very large Amblycera superficially similar to the smaller Ricinidae. Head elongated, somewhat conical with a blunt rounded apex. Antennae four- or five segmented with three (not two) plate-like (coeloconica) sensilla on the second and third flagellomere. Labial palps present bearing five distal setae. Maxillary palps four segmented and well developed, bearing two subterminal setae on the terminal segment, one of which is usually peg-like. Alveolus of temporal submarginal setae 26 and 27 (sensu, Clay, 1970) usually contiguous but otherwise head chaetotaxy somewhat atypical for Amblycera. Mentum (sensu, Symmons, 1952, Fig. 18) with a bladder-like lobe conspicuous in unmounted specimens. Distinctive sculpturing on the temples with an outer row of peg-like projections. Pronotum separate but meso- and metanotum fused. Venter of third femur and some sternites with patches of characteristic microtrichia (microsetae). Distal end of tibiae II and III with dorsal patch of microtrichia and an anterior patch of smaller microtrichia. Male external genitalia well developed. Female anal setal corona absent. Hosts in Greenland: Falconiformes (Accipitridae and Falconidae) and Gruiformes (Rallidae).