Biting Lice (Mallophaga) Bovicola Limbatus (Gervais, 1844) on Milk Goats in the Volgograd Region

Biting lice were regularly collected from milk goats in the south-eastern part of the Volgograd Region (Sredneakhtubinsky District) from 2010 to 2011. The result of the studies firstly found new species of biting lice Bovicola limbatus (Gervais, 1844) belonging to the order Mallophaga on milk goats (Capra hircus). For overseas countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Burma and South Africa, this species was recorded as common and widespread on the Angora and other goats. The B. limbatus population abundance and distribution were studied on milk goats in different seasons of the year. The maximum number of ectoparasites on small cattle was observed in late winter and early spring. In 2011, the number of parasitic insects exceeded more than 1,000 specimens on some animals at this time, and the incidence degree of ectoparasites in the population of their hosts was 90-100%. In summer months, the number of B. limbatus on animals significantly decreased. The prevalence was no more than 40%. The population size and the prevalence of the biting louse B. limbatus on milk goats increased with onset of autumn, in early October.