On the occurrence of hare lice, haemodipsus spp. (anoplura, hoplopleuridae) on hares, lepus europaeus, in The Netherlands

Summary

In 1957 Haemodipsus setoni has been collected for the first time on Lepus europaeus in the Netherlands. Earlier H. lyriocephalus was the only known louse on the European hare.

During a three years' survey, the occurrence of both lice species was studied. On diseased hares an increasing infestation rate of H. setoni was found, while the infestation rate of H. lyriocephalus remained stable. The infestation of H. setoni on healthy hares was on a much lower level than in the case of the diseased hares. H. lyriocephalus seemed very rare on healthy hares.

No difference in infestation rate between the host sexes could be determined. Both sexes and juveniles of H. setoni and H. lyriocephalus seemed to be present during the whole year, but the infestation proved to be more severe in spring and summer.

Great numbers of lice occurred only on hares in a bad state of health. Mostly, infestation by lice was combined with other parasitic infestations with a more prolonged character. The relationship between the state of health, the time spent in cleaning the skin and infestation by lice is discussed.