This article has been peer reviewed but is awaiting expert review. If you would like to help with this, please see more information about expert reviewing. |
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