What do horse lice look like? - briefly
Horse lice are tiny, wing‑less insects about 2–4 mm long, with a flattened, oval body that ranges from light brown to reddish‑brown and bears short, bristle‑like legs adapted for clinging to the horse’s coat. Their heads are small, with chewing mouthparts visible as tiny protrusions.
What do horse lice look like? - in detail
Horse lice, commonly referred to as Haematopinus asini, are medium‑sized, wingless insects that resemble large, flattened fleas. Adults measure 5–8 mm in length and 2–3 mm in width, with a broad, oval body that tapers slightly toward the rear. The dorsal surface is covered with dense, short setae that give a slightly fuzzy appearance, while the ventral side is smoother.
Coloration ranges from light brown to dark reddish‑brown, often with a slightly glossy sheen. The head is relatively small, equipped with short, robust antennae consisting of five segments. Mouthparts are adapted for sucking blood, forming a pronounced, elongated proboscis that protrudes forward when feeding.
Legs are short and sturdy, each ending in a pair of claws that enable firm attachment to the horse’s hair and skin. The legs lack the powerful jumping ability of true fleas; instead, the lice move slowly by crawling. The abdomen consists of segmented plates (tergites) that may display faint transverse lines or mottling, especially in engorged females.
Key visual identifiers:
- Size: 5–8 mm long, 2–3 mm wide
- Body shape: flattened, oval, slightly tapered posteriorly
- Color: brown to reddish‑brown, sometimes glossy
- Setal covering: short, dense hairs on dorsum
- Antennae: five‑segmented, short
- Mouthparts: elongated sucking proboscis
- Legs: short, clawed, non‑jumping
- Abdomen: segmented, may show faint lines or mottling
Females, after a blood meal, become noticeably distended, appearing larger and more rounded than males. Nymphs resemble miniature adults but lack fully developed wings and have lighter coloration. Recognizing these characteristics facilitates accurate identification and effective management of infestations.