Haematopinidae

Definition

A family of sucking lice (suborder Anoplura) containing the single genus Haematopinus, commonly called ungulate lice. Members are obligate ectoparasites of large domestic and wild mammals—cattle, horses, swine, water buffalo, deer, camels, and related ungulates—and are of major veterinary and economic importance worldwide.

Etymology

From Greek haima (blood) + pinos (drinking, devouring), referring to their hematophagous feeding habit.

Example

Haematopinus tuberculatus, the buffalo louse, is the principal ectoparasite of water buffalo and is suspected of vectoring anaplasmosis.

Synonyms

• ungulate lice (common name)

Related Terms

• Haematopinus
• Anoplura
• Phthiraptera
• Psocodea
• Ectoparasite
• Vector
• Pediculosis
• veterinary entomology

Usage Notes

Haematopinidae is monotypic at the genus level; all species are placed in Haematopinus. The family is distinguished from other anopluran families by host specificity to ungulates and corresponding morphological adaptations. In older literature, the group may be treated as a subfamily (Haematopininae) within Pediculidae or Linognathidae, but modern classifications recognize it as a distinct family within Psocodea. Identification to species requires host association and microscopic examination of genital and antennal characters.