Hog Louse vs Brown-winged Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hog Louse Brown-winged Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Haematopinus suis Tasgius ater
Order Phthiraptera Coleoptera
Family Haematopinidae Staphylinidae
Size 4-6 mm 14-18 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Blood Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Brown-winged Rove Beetle

A large, uniformly dark rove beetle with subtly brownish elytra, closely related to Tasgius melanarius. It prefers more rural habitats than its congener and is often found in agricultural landscapes.

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Did You Know?

Farmers historically considered this beetle beneficial, as it actively hunts crop-damaging leatherjackets in agricultural soils.