Morphological variation of Neopsittaconirmus gracilis (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera) from budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus

Chewing lice of the species Neopsittaconirmus gracilis Guimaraes, 1974 (Ischnocera, Philopteridae) were found on captive budgerigars Melopsittacus undulatus (Shaw, 1805) (Psittaciformes, Psittacidae), in the Czech Republic and in Australia. This is the first record of lice of genus Neopsittaconirmus in the Czech Republic. The primary host species of N. gracilis is the yellow-collared lovebird Agapornis personatus Reichenow, 1887 (Psittaciformes, Psittacidae). The finding of N. gracilis on budgerigars is, most likely, a result of a contamination in captivity. Morphological variation and origin of these lice is discussed.