Cattle Sucking Louse vs Large Turkey Louse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cattle Sucking Louse Large Turkey Louse
Scientific Name Linognathus vituli Chelopistes meleagridis
Order Phthiraptera Phthiraptera
Family Linognathidae Philopteridae
Size 1.5-2.5 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Blood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Worldwide North America, Europe
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.

Large Turkey Louse

The largest louse found on domestic turkeys, feeding on feather material. It prefers the breast and thigh feathers of its host.

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Did You Know?

Benjamin Franklin studied this louse while advocating for the turkey as America's national bird.