Community identification
Louse Egg / Nit
Pediculus humanus capitis (Egg)
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea, Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- Approximately 0.8 mm in length (about the size of a knot in thread).
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively on human hosts, primarily attached to the hair shafts of the scalp.
Diet & Feeding
In the egg stage, they do not eat. Once hatched, the nymphs and adults feed on human blood multiple times a day.
Behavior Patterns
Eggs are glued to the base of the hair shaft near the scalp for warmth. They typically hatch in 6 to 9 days. They cannot jump or fly and are transmitted via direct head-to-head contact.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, scalp irritation, and secondary bacterial infections from scratching. They do not transmit diseases. There are no ecological benefits as they are obligate parasites.