Population structure of goat biting louse Bovicola caprae (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera).

The population structure of Bovicola caprae on goats has been recorded by examining 57 goatskins (45 by brushing cum searching and 12 by dissolving method). Population composition, sex ratio, adult nymph ratio has been recorded at different levels of infestation. The female dominated over the male population and male: female has been found to be 1:2 by brushing cum searching and 1:1.7 by dissolving method. Likewise, A:N was found to be 1:1.2 by brushing cum searching and 1:17 by dissolving method. The number of males and females follow similar pattern throughout population and were found to exhibit a high degree of correlation.