Lice

INSECTA PARASITES

Phthiraptera introduction

Arthropod Classification - copyright nabrown RVC

Lice are obligate ectoparasites of every avian and most mammalian species. They are only a few millimeters long and like fleas, are wingless but unlike fleas are dorsoventrally flattened.

Lice are host specific, permanent parasites which cause pediculosis. The louse saliva and faeces contain allergenic substances which cause irritation, rubbing, licking and skin damage leading to decreased host productivity.

Mammalian lice species have a single pair of claws on the ends of stout legs, whereas avian lice species have a double claw on each leg.

There are two main groups of veterinary importance, the mallophaga (chewing lice) and anoplura (sucking lice).

Mallophaga

Also known as chewing lice or biting lice

• Broad head

• Thorax narrower than the head

• Rasping mouthparts

• Feeds on epithelial scales, scabs, feathers and other bodily debris

• Species occur on both mammals and birds

Anoplura

Sucking Louse Pediculosis humanus - From: Genetic Analysis of Lice Supports Direct Contact between Modern and Archaic Humans Reed DL, Smith VS, Hammond SL, Rogers AR, Clayton DH PLoS Biology Vol. 2, No. 11, e340 doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020340

Also known as sucking lice

• Narrow head

• Thorax wider than the head

• Powerful legs

• Piercing mouthparts

• Feed on blood and tissue fluids

• Heavy infestations can cause anaemia

• Species occur only on mammals

Life cycle

• The whole life cycle takes 2-3 weeks

• The louse spends its whole life on the animal
  • It can however survive for one week off the animal

• In some species parthenogenesis can occur

• Close contact transmission can occur

1. Eggs

• Known as nits

• Cemented to hairs

2. Nymphs

• Nymphs hatch from the egg (no larval stage)

• Undergoes several moults

3. Adults

• Females can lay up to 10 eggs per day

Pediculosis

Lice - Cattle

Lice - Sheep

Lice - Pigs

Horses

• One chewing louse
  • Damalinia equi

• One sucking louse
  • Haematopinus asini

• Mainly found in the mane and tail but can spread over the body

Dogs

• One chewing louse
  • Trichodectes canis

• One sucking louse
  • Linognathus setosus

• Neglect is usually associated with heavy infestations

Cats

• One chewing louse
  • Felicola

Poultry

• Several species of chewing lice
  • Lipeurus spp. are the most pathogenic
    • The 'wing louse' and the 'head louse'
  • Menacanthus spp. are also pathogenic
    • Lays its eggs in clusters around the cloaca

• No sucking lice