What does the moose louse look like? - briefly
The moose louse is a large, wingless ectoparasite measuring 3–5 mm, characterized by a flattened brown body, a broad head, and strong claws for gripping the host’s hair. Its short antennae bear bristles that facilitate movement through the dense fur.
What does the moose louse look like? - in detail
The moose louse (genus Trichodectes, species trichodectes baculus) is a small, flattened ectoparasite adapted to the dense hair of its host. Adult specimens measure 2.5–3.5 mm in length, with females slightly larger than males. The body is dorsoventrally compressed, facilitating movement through the fur.
Key morphological traits include:
- Head: Broad, sclerotized, bearing a pair of short, robust antennae with three segments; palps are elongated and curved.
- Thorax: Five well‑developed legs, each ending in hooked claws that grip hair shafts; legs are proportionally longer in males, aiding in mate searching.
- Abdomen: Segmented, with a ventral plate that is smooth and lightly pigmented; dorsal surface displays a series of fine, transverse ridges.
- Coloration: Dorsal integument ranges from light brown to dark amber, providing camouflage against the host’s coat; ventral side is paler, often whitish.
Sexual dimorphism is evident in the genitalia: males possess a conspicuous, elongated aedeagus, while females have a recessed ovipositor. The exoskeleton is lightly chitinized, allowing flexibility for navigating tight fur spaces. Egg cases (nits) are oval, attached to hair bases with a cemented secretion, measuring about 0.5 mm in diameter.
These characteristics distinguish the moose louse from other cervid ectoparasites and facilitate its specialized parasitic lifestyle.