Life history parameters of the cattle long-nosed sucking louse, Linognathus vituli

Cattle sucking lice, Linognathus vituli (L.) (Phthiraptera: Linognathidae), were obtained from naturally infected cattle and maintained within 'arenas' affixed to the backs of cattle confined in controlled environment chambers maintained at a constant temperature of 15 °C. Temperatures measured within the arenas at an ambient temperature of 15 °C were constant at about 34 °C and only slightly above the temperature on nearby skin. The effect of temperature on egg development was determined using a gradient of temperatures between 25 °C and 41 °C. Eggs did not develop at temperatures of < 26 °C or > 39 °C. Survival of eggs was highest at temperatures of 30 °C and 35 °C. The earliest hatch was observed at 5 days post-oviposition (at 33-35 °C). Development was extended to as long as 13 days at the lower temperatures. Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities were compared for lice kept at two densities in the arenas and showed there to be no effect of density on louse survival. Similarly, the mean number of eggs/louse/day over an 8-day period was not influenced by louse density.