LOUCESLOUCES

Lice (singular: louse) are insects belonging toeither the sucking louse order (Anoplura) or thechewing or biting louse order (Mallophaga). Alllice are obligatory (dependent on) ectoparasites ofbirds and mammals. There are about 460 speciesof sucking lice and 3,000 species of chewing lice.Sucking lice feed solely on blood and havemouthparts designed for sucking. Their mouthpartspenetrate the skin and actually fit into ablood vessel, from which the blood meal isdrawn. Sucking lice only occur on mammals.

Lice On HorsesLice On Horses

The chewing louse, The chewing louse, Bovicola equi,Bovicola equi, feeds off feeds off tissue and cells sloughed from the tissue and cells sloughed from the surface of the skin. The sucking louse of surface of the skin. The sucking louse of horses, horses, Haematopinus asini, Haematopinus asini, feeds off feeds off blood. The species of lice is important blood. The species of lice is important since it is easier to kill sucking lice with a since it is easier to kill sucking lice with a systemic insecticide than it is to kill biting systemic insecticide than it is to kill biting lice. Lice cause intense itching (pruritus) lice. Lice cause intense itching (pruritus) around the base of the tail, head and around the base of the tail, head and mane. Horses will rub themselves raw. mane. Horses will rub themselves raw.

Lice On HorsesLice On Horses

Lice are normally species-specific. Lice are normally species-specific. However, the chewing lice of poultry can However, the chewing lice of poultry can also affect horses when housed together. also affect horses when housed together. The horses should be removed from the The horses should be removed from the building. If the poultry is removed, the building. If the poultry is removed, the lice will continue to harass the horses lice will continue to harass the horses unless a good cleanup and premise unless a good cleanup and premise insecticide treatment is used. insecticide treatment is used.

Bovicola EquiBovicola Equi

Lice can be found on all parts of the horse but are usually first noticed on the head, neck,

mane and tail. There are two different species of lice which are occasionally a problem on horses. Signs of lice include scurfy skin, unkempt coat and excessive rubbing and scratching. Lice reproduce all year but are more of a problem during winter. Their entire life cycle is spent on the horse.

The horse-biting louse, Bovicola equi, is about 1/10 inch long and very flat. It has chewing mouthparts and feeds on dry skin, skin secretions and hair. Biting lice lay their eggs

around the angle of the jaw and on the flanks. The eggs hatch in five to 10 days. Nymphs begin feeding immediately, reaching maturity in three to four weeks.

The blood-sucking louse, Haematopinus asini, is about 1/8 inch long and a dirty gray color. Sucking lice are more common, as well as more irritating, than biting lice. They have piercing, sucking mouthparts and with large infestations cause the host to become severely anemic. The horse rubs off patches of hair. Louse infestations are more commonly seen on horses on inadequate diets. Weight loss, stunted growth and susceptibility to diseases are

associated with heavy infestations. Lice are not considered important in the transmission of

equine pathogenic agents.

Control is achieved by proper grooming, feeding and chemical treatment. Owners usually spot the problem quicker when grooming. Proper nutrition allows the animal to better withstand the blood loss or irritation of a severe louse infestation.

When using insecticides, wettable powder (WP) formulations are generally preferred over

emulsifiable concentrates (EC) because some horses are more sensitive to skin burns from

solvents in EC formulations. However, problems should not occur if the insecticide is labeled for use on horses for lice and used according to the label directions.

Haematopinus AsiniHaematopinus Asini

Lice on CattleLice on Cattle

Lice irritate cattle, causing the cattle to

bite, scratch and rub. The coats of lousy cattle take on a rough

scruffy appearance, and, at times, areas of skin are rubbed raw.

The effect of lice on the production and growth rate of cattle is a matter for continued debate.

Lice on CattleLice on Cattle

Lice can be an important cause of

economic loss when cattle are in poor condition or if infestations are heavy. If only a few animals in a mob are severely affected by lice, always look for an underlying cause. Diseased or nutritionally stressed animals will develop more severe lice infestations than healthy animals.

General Types of Cattle LiceGeneral Types of Cattle Lice

Bovicola BovisBovicola Bovis

Linognathus VituliLinognathus Vituli

Solenopotes Capillatus Solenopotes Capillatus

Haematopinus EurysternusHaematopinus Eurysternus

Lice on CattleLice on Cattle There are two types of cattle lice: biting

lice and sucking lice.

Biting lice ::

Biting lice feed on skin debris and can cause severe irritation. The cattle biting louse (Bovicola bovis) is a reddish-brown louse about 2 mm long with a brown head. It is mostly found on the neck, shoulders, back and rump.

Lice on CattleLice on Cattle Sucking lice : Sucking lice pierce the skin and suck blood. In

large numbers they can cause anaemia. The short-nosed cattle louse

(Haematopinus eurysternus) is dark-grey. The female is 3.5–5 mm long. The male is smaller. It is mostly found around the cattle’s eyes and in the long hair around the neck and tail, but in heavy infestations it can occur anywhere in the hair coat. In summer it is found in and around the ears and under the tail.

Lice on CattleLice on CattleThe long-nosed cattle louse (Linognathus

vituli) is bluish-black and about 2.5 mm long. Like the short-nosed cattle louse it may be found anywhere in the hair coat including the neck, dewlap, inner thigh and scrotum.

The tubercle-bearing louse (Solenopotes

capillatus) is the smallest louse. At only 1.2 mm long. It has a brown head and a bluish abdomen. It is usually found around the head and neck in distinct dark clusters.

Life Cycle of Cattle LiceLife Cycle of Cattle Lice The life cycles of all species are similar.

Eggs are laid by the female and glued to hair shafts, and take 8–19 days to hatch as nymphs. The nymphs undergo three moults on the beast, and develop into adults. The entire life cycle takes 3–6 weeks.

Bovicola bovisBovicola bovis

Linognathus VituliLinognathus Vituli

Solenopotes capillatusSolenopotes capillatus

Haematopinus eurysternusHaematopinus eurysternus