| Also known as:
|
Short-nosed louse
|
Scientific Classification
| Class
|
Insecta
|
| Order
|
Phthiraptera
|
| Suborder
|
Anoplura
|
| Family
|
Haematopinidae
|
Identification
Haematopinus eurysternus is one of the largest louse currently seen on domestic mammals, at around 4mm in length. The abdomen is dark blue and the head and thorax is a greyish yellow. The eggs have a very thick outer shell, and are white in colour.
Life Cycle
The females lay one egg per day for around 2 weeks, which is their approximate lifespan. The eggs are sticky and glue themselves to the hairs of the host, in this case, cattle. The eggs hatch in 1-2 weeks, transforming into nymphs. Nymphs then transform into mature adults about 14 days later. The female will then begin to lay eggs, and infect the host.
