Cattle Biting Louse vs Human Body Louse
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cattle Biting Louse | Human Body Louse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bovicola bovis | Pediculus humanus humanus |
| Order | Phthiraptera | Phthiraptera |
| Family | Trichodectidae | Pediculidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 2.5-3.5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Indoors |
| Diet | Omnivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Human Body Louse
Closely related to the head louse but lives in clothing rather than on hair. It is the vector for epidemic typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever.
Did You Know?
Body lice are believed to have evolved from head lice when humans first began wearing clothing roughly 70,000 to 170,000 years ago.