98 MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



ting a stone in the crotch, or binding a limb with a cord, or even 

 girdling a twig or trunk the vitality is checked and the tree brought 

 into early bearing. 



CATTLE LICE. 



During the long Maine winters when snow on the ground prevents 

 animals from finding dry earth to paw over themselves, they are apt 

 to become lousy. Cattle lice breed rapidly. A single infested animal, 

 if neglected, will before spring become literally alive, and by close con- 

 tact in the stable and yard is almost certain to spread the parasites 

 to the whole herd. These parasites are therefore more apt to give 

 trouble during the winter. We have recently received specimens 

 for examination, accompanied by a request for information as to the 

 nature of the parasites, and how to destroy them. As there seems to 

 be a demand for information we can better serve the many by pre- 

 paring an article on these pests. The following article is designed to 

 give information regarding lice in general, and to consider more in 

 detail, three species that infest domestic cattle. Those wishing 

 information regarding lice that affect other domestic animals will 

 do well to procure a copy of Bulletin Xo. 7, Division of Entomology 

 U. S. Department of Agriculture, from which the cuts to illustrate 

 this article were taken. 



General Consideration. 



The term louse is derived from the same root as loss and loose, and 

 is used in the sence of damager or destroyer and applies to quite a 

 variety of degraded crustacean and insect parasites that do more or 

 less damage to their hosts. 



All of the lice belong to that branch of the animal kingdom called 

 Arthropoda (jointed-footed animals) which embraces the crustaceans 

 and insects. To the crustaceans belong the wood lice or sow bugs, 

 non-parasitic, and feeding upon decaying organic matter and found 

 in damp places. Some of their near relatives are true fish parasites 

 and together with a large number of other degraded crustaceans, 

 parasitic on fish, sea mammals and other crustaceans, are called fish 

 lice. Certain mites (degraded spiders) are often called lice. To this 

 group belong the red lice or harvest ticks, and the well-known itch 

 louse or itch mite and others. These have eight legs. 



The remainder of the lice are true insects (Hexapods) having sis 

 legs and belonging to several orders. Lnsects themselves are infested 

 with minute lice. Those known as bee lice are degraded flies (Dip- 

 tera.)~Bees are also infested by minute lice belonging to the order 

 Coleoptera (beetles.) 



The bark lice, plant lice, and jumping plant lice are bugs (Hem- 

 iptera.)Th.e-y are provided with beaks by means of which they suck 

 the juices of plants. The sucking lice of animals, embracing the head 



