IDENTIFICATION OF MICROTHORACIUS-MAZZAI (PHTHIRAPTERA, ANOPLURA) AS AN ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT PARASITE OF ALPACAS

The hematophagous sucking louse Microthoracius mazzai Werneck, 1932, i s redescribed and identified as a parasite of alpacas, Lama pacos L. S pecimens were collected on animals 10-14 mo old, located on a large co mmunity farm at 4,600 m above sea level in the Peruvian Andes. In tota l, 26 scanning electron microscope (SEM) figures are included that hig hlight salient and differential characteristics, especially the unique elongated spindle-shaped head, which is almost as long as its abdomen . Alpacas, 1 of the ii: species of South American camelids, are import ant for their production of high-quality wool in the Andes Mountain ra nge countries, especially Pem and Bolivia; to a lesser degree Chile; a nd more recently Argentina, where breeding and disease control program s are receiving increased technical support. Information is given on t he prevalence of lice infestations in the nock, clinical signs, and ec onomic losses. We report the efficacy of moxidectin (SC, 200 mcg/kg, b .w.) in a repeated treatment program of 7-10 d, which is currently use d for mange control in these ruminants.