Dog Biting Louse vs Kirby's Dropwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dog Biting Louse | Kirby's Dropwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trichodectes canis | Trithemis kirbyi |
| Order | Phthiraptera | Odonata |
| Family | Trichodectidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 30-37 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Africa, Asia, Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dog Biting Louse
A chewing louse that infests domestic dogs, feeding on skin debris and secretions. It can serve as an intermediate host for the dog tapeworm.
Did You Know?
Dogs can acquire tapeworm infections by accidentally swallowing these lice during grooming, as the lice carry tapeworm larvae.
Kirby's Dropwing
A bright orange-red dragonfly widespread across Africa and into southern Asia. Males have distinctive orange wing bases and red veins.
Did You Know?
It has recently colonized southern Europe via the Middle East, now breeding in Spain and Italy.