Cattle Sucking Louse vs Hog Louse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cattle Sucking Louse Hog Louse
Scientific Name Linognathus vituli Haematopinus suis
Order Phthiraptera Phthiraptera
Family Linognathidae Haematopinidae
Size 1.5-2.5 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Blood Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Worldwide Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cattle Sucking Louse

A blood-sucking louse found on calves and young cattle worldwide. It has a distinctive long narrow head adapted for piercing skin.

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Did You Know?

Heavy infestations on calves can cause severe anemia and even death in young animals.

Hog Louse

The largest louse found on domestic animals, exclusively parasitizing pigs. It feeds on blood and is most commonly found behind the ears and in skin folds.

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Did You Know?

At up to 6 mm long, the hog louse is the largest sucking louse known, easily visible to the naked eye on infested pigs.