Lice - Horse

Bovicola equi

Also known as:

Damalinia equi Trichodectes parumpilosus Werneckiella equi equi

Bovicola equi are chewing lice found worldwide, and are more commonly known as Damalinia equi. They are usually seen on the neck, and base of the tail on the horse.

Scientific Classification

Class	Insecta
Order	Phthiraptera
Suborder	Ischnocera
Family	Trichodectidae

Identification

A fully grown adult will be around 1.5mm in length, and is red in colour. They have a distinct three segmented antenna, and a single claw on each of the tarsi.

Life Cycle

The eggs are white and can often be seen by the naked eye, particuarly on the hair of the neck and the base of the tail. However, in heavy infections, the eggs maybe seen all over the body.

The cycle from the production of the egg to a fully reproductive adult usually takes around 28 days.

Haematopinus equi

H. equi is a horse sucking louse, and is often associated with poor grooming and management.

Scientific Classification

Class	Insecta
Order	Phthiraptera
Suborder	Anoplura
Family	Haematopinidae

Identification

The adults are dark yellow, and around 3mm long. Their mouth is adapted with piercing parts for the sucking of blood. The thoracic sternal part is dark and very well developed in this species.

Life Cycle

The eggs are white, and hatch into nymphs in 1-2 weeks. They require a further 12 days to develop into adults. The complete cycle from oviposition to complete development of the adult louse requires around 28 days.