On the behaviour of pigeon louse, Columbicola columbae Linn. (Mallophaga)

The reactions of the pigeon louse Columbicola columbae to temperature, smell and contact have been tested in a circular, glass-walled arena divided into two halves. The thermopreferendum has been found to be between 33 and 36° C, and higher temperatures are more strongly avoided than lower ones. The louse prefers cloth that has been in contact with pigeon feathers to clean cloth. Kerosene serves as a repellant. When the louse is offered different surfaces, namely, glazed paper, tin foil, blotting paper, unglazed paper, voile, silk or wool, the woollen surface is preferred most.Three mechanisms of orientation, klinotaxis, klinokinesis and orthokinesis appear to contribute to the normal behaviour of the louse. Under certain conditions negative orthokinesis also affects the behaviour.
Comparison of the behaviour of the pigeon louse and human louse has shown that in many respects their behaviour is similar and that their thermopreferendum depends on the body temperatures of their respective hosts.