Human Lice (Egg/Nit or Nymph stage)

Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus capitis

Order & Family: Order: Psocodea, Family: Pediculidae

Size: Nits are around 0.8 mm; adults reach 2-3 mm.

Human Lice (Egg/Nit or Nymph stage)

Natural Habitat

The hair and scalp of humans, particularly near the base of the hair shaft.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate parasites that feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They cannot jump or fly; they crawl and attach eggs (nits) to hair with a glue-like substance. They transfer through direct head-to-head contact.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching, scalp irritation, and potential secondary bacterial skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit systemic diseases but are a significant social and hygiene nuisance.

Identified on: 12/28/2025