Effect of the sheep body louse (Damalinia ovis) on host weight gain and fleece value

Abstract

Sheep body lice were normally present in low numbers in summer that built up in autumn, peaked in winter, and declined in spring.

Body lice appeared tv favour sites along the mid-sides and back of their host and occurred least frequently on the abdomen.

There was no evidence to suggest that, under the conditions such as those of this trial, low to moderate numbers of body lice will significantly reduce the rate of body-weight gain or fleece production, but wool quality may be significantly reduced.