Haemonchus

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Nematoda
Class	Sercernentea
Subclass	Rhabditia
Order	Strongylida
Family	Trichostrongyloidea
Genus	Haemonchus
Species	H. Contortus/ H. placei, H. Longistipes, H. similis

Haemonchus contortus

Also known as:	Barber's pole worm
The most important veterinary species	Contortus

Introduction

Haemonchus contortus is a nematode parasite from the family Trichostrongyloidea. It is found worldwide, and is an extremely important parasite of sheep and goats, particularly in tropical/ subtropical regions.

Within the UK, it is found most commonly in the South, where the climate tends to be a little warmer and drier. Some have shown complete resistance to current anthelemintics which is posing a real problem, making sheep and goat farming extremely difficult in some areas of the country.

• Haemonchus contortus (abomasum) - sheep
  • 2cm long,barber's pole appearance when fresh
  • Primarily a tropical/sub-tropical parasite, although may cause problems in the UK (was restricted to SE England but has spread north to Scotland due to warmer, wetter winters in recent years)
  • Blood-sucking nematode (piercing "lancet" in buccal capsule of L4 and adult worms)