L2 - Lice

Question 1

What is the scientific classification of lice?

Answer 1

Lice belong to the Order Psocodea, Parvorder Phthiraptera.

Question 2

What are the key physical characteristics of lice?

Answer 2

They are dorso-ventrally flattened, flightless insects with terminal claws for grasping hair.

Question 3

What are the two types of lice based on their feeding habits?

Answer 3

Chewing lice (Suborder Mallophaga) – Feed on skin, feathers, and hair keratin.
Sucking lice (Suborder Anoplura) – Feed on blood

Question 4

Are lice temporary or permanent parasites?

Answer 4

Lice are permanent and obligatory ectoparasites, meaning they must stay on the host to survive.

Question 5

What type of metamorphosis do lice undergo?

Answer 5

Hemimetabolous development (incomplete metamorphosis).

Question 6

Where do all life stages of lice occur?

Answer 6

On the host.

Question 7

What are the stages in the lice life cycle?

Answer 7

Eggs (laid at the base of hair shafts, hatch in ~7-10 days).
Nymph 1 (on host).
Nymph 2 (on host).
Nymph 3 (on host).
Adult (on host)

Question 8

How does the lice life cycle compare to that of fleas?

Answer 8

Unlike fleas, which have complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult), lice skip the pupal stage and develop directly from nymphs to adults.

Question 9

How are lice usually transmitted?

Answer 9

By direct contact between animals.

Question 10

Can lice survive off the host?

Answer 10

Most lice die quickly off the host, but some can survive for days to weeks on objects like fences, posts, or grooming equipment.

Question 11

What conditions favor lice transmission?

Answer 11

Overcrowding, close contact, and poor husbandry.

Question 12

Are lice species-specific?

Answer 12

Yes, lice are highly host-specific and do not transfer between different animal species.

Question 13

What do chewing lice feed on?

Answer 13

Skin, feathers, and hair keratin.

Question 14

How can you recognize chewing lice?

Answer 14

Their head is as wide or wider than the thorax.

Question 15

What are the two main groups of chewing lice?

Answer 15

Ischnocera – Mostly found on birds.
Amblycera – Found on both birds and mammals.

Question 16

Give examples of important chewing lice species

Answer 16

Bovicola ovis (sheep body louse)
Felicola subrostratus (cat louse)
Trichodectes canis (dog louse)

Question 17

What do sucking lice feed on

Answer 17

Blood.

Question 18

How can you recognize sucking lice?

Answer 18

Their head is narrower than the thorax.

Question 19

Are sucking lice found on birds?

Answer 19

No, they are only found on mammals.

Question 20

Give examples of important sucking lice species.

Answer 20

Haematopinus suis (pig louse, sometimes mistaken for a tick, vector of swine pox & swine fever)
Linognathus setosus (dog sucking louse)
Haematopinus asini (horse sucking louse, can be transmitted via grooming equipment)

Question 21

What are the main lice species affecting sheep?

Answer 21

Bovicola ovis (chewing louse, body louse)
Linognathus ovillus (face louse, sucking louse)
Linognathus pedalis (foot louse, sucking louse)

Question 22

What are the effects of Bovicola ovis on sheep?

Answer 22

Causes irritation, rubbing, and fleece damage (pulled wool).
Reduces wool quality and quantity (10% loss in wool production).
Increases susceptibility to blowfly strike.

Question 23

What is the best method to control Bovicola ovis?

Answer 23

Shearing removes 90% of lice, but short wool increases transmission.
Biosecurity measures (isolating infected sheep, avoiding split shearing).
Treatment with insecticides (must be applied twice over 10-12 days, or use a residual insecticide lasting 10-14 days).

Question 24

What are the major lice affecting cattle?

Answer 24

Damalinia bovis (chewing louse, body louse)
Haematopinus eurysternus (sucking louse)
Solenopotes capillatus (sucking louse)
Linognathus vituli (sucking louse, missing from the original list)

Question 25

When do sucking lice numbers peak in cattle?

Answer 25

Winter

Question 26

Where are cattle lice commonly found?

Answer 26

Head, neck, back, and tail.

Question 27

What are the lice species affecting horses?

Answer 27

Damalinia equi (chewing body louse, transmitted by direct contact). Haematopinus asini (sucking louse, can spread via grooming equipment).

Question 28

What is the major louse affecting pigs?

Answer 28

Haematopinus suis (sucking louse, large, sometimes mistaken for a tick).

Question 29

What diseases can Haematopinus suis transmit?

Answer 29

Swine pox and swine fever.

Question 30

What are the lice species affecting dogs?

Answer 30

Trichodectes canis (chewing louse). Heterodoxus spiniger (chewing louse, mainly in tropical areas). Linognathus setosus (sucking louse, rare).

Question 31

What is the primary louse affecting cats?

Answer 31

Felicola subrostratus (chewing louse, usually only seen in sick or aged cats).

Question 32

What is the most important louse affecting poultry?

Answer 32

Menacanthus stramineus (fowl body louse).

Question 33

Where does Menacanthus stramineus live and what does it feed on?

Answer 33

Lives on the skin and chews at the base of quills, drawing blood.

Question 34

What are the effects of lice infestations in poultry?

Answer 34

Irritation, poor growth, and reduced egg production.

Question 35

What are the three types of lice that affect humans?

Answer 35

Pediculus humanus capitis (head louse). Pediculus humanus humanus (body louse, vector of typhus). Phthirus pubis (pubic louse, "crabs," a sexually transmitted parasite).

Question 36

How can lice infestations be controlled?

Answer 36

Treat all animals twice over 10-12 days OR use a long-lasting insecticide (>10-14 days). Maintain good biosecurity (isolate infected animals, disinfect equipment). Shearing can remove most lice in sheep.