Lice - Horse
Bovicola equi
| Also known as: | Damalinia equi
|
Bovicola equi are chewing lice found worldwide, and 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 asini
| Also known as: | Horse sucking louse |
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.