How are moose lice harmful? - briefly
Moose chewing lice feed on skin and blood, causing intense itching, hair loss, and lesions that may become infected. Heavy infestations weaken the animal, lower feeding efficiency, and raise susceptibility to additional diseases.
How are moose lice harmful? - in detail
Moose chewing lice infest the hair and skin, feeding on epidermal tissue and secretions. Their mouthparts cause microscopic abrasions that trigger inflammation, leading to hair loss and localized dermatitis. The damaged skin becomes a portal for bacterial colonization; secondary infections frequently develop, compounding tissue damage and requiring additional immune resources.
Nutritional stress results from the lice’s continuous consumption of skin fluids and keratin. In heavily infested individuals, the chronic loss of hair reduces insulation, increasing heat loss during cold periods and forcing the animal to expend extra energy to maintain body temperature. The additional metabolic demand can lower body condition, diminish fat reserves, and impair reproductive performance.
Lice act as mechanical vectors for pathogens such as Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma spp. When an infected louse moves between hosts, it can deposit these microorganisms onto fresh lesions, facilitating systemic infection. The resulting diseases may cause anemia, joint inflammation, and reduced locomotor ability, further compromising survival.
Population-level effects arise because heavily infested moose exhibit lower foraging efficiency. Painful lesions limit grazing time, while weakened individuals are more vulnerable to predation and harsh environmental conditions. Herds with high infestation prevalence show reduced calf survival rates and slower population growth.
Management implications include the need for regular monitoring of lice density on captured or observed animals, implementation of targeted acaricide treatments where feasible, and habitat modifications that reduce louse breeding sites, such as controlling dense understory that shelters immature stages. Reducing lice burdens can improve individual health, enhance reproductive output, and support overall population stability.