The present report provides the initial insights into the characteristics of the egg shell of two phthirapteran species, Lipeurus tropicalis Peters, 1931, and Menopon gallinae Linnaeus, 1758, which infest Gallus gallus (Linnaeus, 1758), utilizing a scanning electron microscope. The ischnoceran louse, L. tropicalis Peters, 1931, features an elongated, small egg shell that resembles grains of rice. At the anterior end of the egg, there is a nearly dome-shaped operculum adorned with 15–18 micropyles. In contrast, the amblyceran louse, Menopon gallinae Linnaeus, 1758, possesses an oval egg with a disc-like operculum at the anterior end, measuring 0.252 mm in diameter. The egg mouth is equipped with 18–24 tentacle-like projections known as apophyses, arranged in two rows. From the center of the operculum, a single large polar thread extends, measuring 0.72 mm in length and 0.06 mm in diameter. Both species eggs exhibit a distinct beehive structure, resembling a hydropyle, at their posterior end.

Amblycera, Egg shell, Ischnocera, Lipeurus tropicalis, Louse, Menopon gallinae, Phthiraptera, SEM

The eggs belonging to phthirapteran species exhibit specific distinctive features on or within the chorionic shell, which are challenging to discern through light microscopic examinations. Nevertheless, scanning electron microscopy has demonstrated to be an excellent tool for this task, uncovering the minute details on the egg chorion of Phthirapteran species. These species also exhibit minimal intergeneric morphological variations, making classification difficult. Therefore, the morphology of the egg shell can serve as a reference for louse taxonomy.

Aftab Ahmad and Gaurav Sharma (2025). The characteristics of the eggshells belonging to two species of phthiraptera infesting red jungle fowl, Gallus gallus (Linnaeus, 1758). Biological Forum, 17(9): 123-126.