102 



MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



HlSTOET AND DlSTKIBUTIOX. 



Abundant the world over upon cattle. First 

 described by Linnaeus as Pediculus bovis. The 

 present name was given it some time later 

 and is adopted regardless of priority. The 

 species is one of the best known animal para- 

 sites. 



Description; 

 About one-twelfth of an inch long- and of 

 the form shown in Fig. 3. The antennae have 

 only three joints, while the most of the bird 

 lice have five joints to the antennae. There 

 are dark bands across the abdomen as shown 

 in Fig. 3. On account of the size and color 

 they are called "little red lice" to distin- 

 guish them from the larger sucking lice that 

 infest cattle and popularly named "blue lice." 

 They are naturally more abundant in the 

 spring. The eggs are attached to the hair 

 and the young resemble in form the adults. Nothing is known re- 

 garding the number of eggs laid, the time required for them to hatch, 

 or the time it takes them to mature, or the length of life. Here is an 

 opportunity for some entomologist to distinguish himself, by trac- 

 ing the life history of this and other species of cattle lice. 



Fig. 3. 



Eemedies. 



Lice irritate the skin. When animals are found rubbing they should 

 be examined at once. If lice are found, separate the infested ani- 

 mals. Search about the neck and shoulders, at the base of the horns, 

 around the eyes and nostrils, and along the back. Separate the hair 

 and expose the skin. If lice are present they can generally be detected. 

 A fine toothed comb could be used in searching. Infested animals 

 are generally restless. When badly infested they lose flesh and the 

 coat is staring. Bare places from rubbing appear on the neck and 

 shoulders. It would be well to examine animals when they are put 

 into winter quarters and not wait for pronounced cases before 

 adopting remedial measures. 



The authorized remedies for lice naturally divide themselves into 

 four classes, viz: powders, unctions, liquids and fumes. 



The powders usually employed are pyrethram, ashes or road dust. 



The unctions, mercurial ointment, and a mixture of kerosene and 

 lard. 



The liquids, decoctions of tobacco, stavesacre, or the seeds of the 

 common larkspur; solution of carbolic acid soap, or kerosene emul- 

 sion. The fumes, burning tobacco, sulphur, or phyrethum. 



