In Vitro Life History of Lipeurus tropicalis (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Isochnocera) Infesting Gallus gallus domesticus (Aves: Phasianidae)

The ischnoceran louse, Lipeurus tropicalis, which normally infests Gallus gallus domesticus, was subjected to in vitro study (35 ± 1 C, 75-82% relative humidity, on a feather diet). The life table was computed, and its intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) was calculated using the data from in vitro experiments. The value of the intrinsic rate of natural growth (r) is 0.032. Given this rate, a population of L. tropicalis should double after 21.66 days, indicating that it is a moderately paced breeder.