Haematopinus is a
genus of
insects in the
superfamilyAnoplura, the sucking lice.[1] It is the only genus in the family Haematopinidae,[2] known commonly as the ungulate lice.[3] All known species are of importance in
veterinary medicine.[2] These lice are some of the most economically important
ectoparasites of domestic animals.[4] Species infest many domesticated and wild large mammals, including
cattle,
horses,
donkeys,
swine,
water buffalo,
African buffalo,
antelope,
zebra,
deer, and
camels.[4] The species Haematopinus tuberculatus has great importance in the
water buffalo breading, since this louse is specific to buffaloes, being the main ectoparasite of the species, with important sanitary and economic burden.[5][6] The Haematopinus tuberculatus is suspected to be involved in the transmission of diseases, such as
anaplasmosis.[7] The parasites are found infesting buffaloes in greater concentrations around the ears, base of horns, side of the neck, around the scrotum or udder, and especially at the tip of the tail.[5]