Solenopotes capillatus (Insecta: Phthiraptera) lice infestation in a Red Kandhari bullock and its treatment

Occurrence of Solenopotes capillatus lice on Red Kandhari (RK) cattle from Parbhani region of India was observed. Lice were observed under stereoscopic zoom microscope and identified as Solenopotes on the basis of primary characteristics such as shape, size and colour and specific characteristics such as one row of setae on each abdominal segments, presence of sternal plate on thorax, first pair of legs shorter than second and third pair, abdomen lacking the paratergal plates but presence of spiracles on tubercles which are protruded from abdominal margins. Infection was observed on neck, dewlap and head region of the RK bull in the clusters appearing pale spots. Herbal formulation containing Azadirachta indica (Neem) crude oil and Pongamia glabra (Karanj) crude oil was successfully used in combating the lice infection.