Banded Groundling vs Cattle Biting Louse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Banded Groundling Cattle Biting Louse
Scientific Name Brachythemis leucosticta Bovicola bovis
Order Odonata Phthiraptera
Family Libellulidae Trichodectidae
Size 28-35 mm 1.5-2 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Africa Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Banded Groundling

A small, dark African dragonfly with distinctive banded wings. Males develop a pruinose black body while females retain brown coloring.

💡

Did You Know?

It perches flat on bare ground and rocks, using its dark wings as a territorial signal.

Cattle Biting Louse

A chewing louse that infests cattle worldwide, causing irritation and economic losses in livestock. Infestations worsen in winter when cattle have thick coats.

💡

Did You Know?

Winter infestations of this louse can cause cattle to rub and scratch so intensely that they damage fences and lose significant weight.