Shaft Louse vs Cattle Biting Louse
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Shaft Louse | Cattle Biting Louse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Menopon gallinae | Bovicola bovis |
| Order | Phthiraptera | Phthiraptera |
| Family | Menoponidae | Trichodectidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 1.5-2 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Shaft Louse
A fast-moving louse found on the feather shafts of chickens and other poultry. It feeds primarily on feather barbs and can cause significant plumage damage.
Did You Know?
Shaft lice can run so quickly across feathers that they are difficult to catch even with practiced fingers during bird examinations.
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.