Pubic Louse (Crab Louse)

Natural Habitat

The coarse hair of the human pubic and anal regions; occasionally found in eyelashes, eyebrows, beards, or armpits.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophage; it feeds exclusively on human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They are sedentary and spend their entire life cycle on the host, attaching eggs (nits) to hair shafts. They cannot jump or fly and move slowly.

Risks & Benefits

Risk: Causes intense itching (pruritus) due to hypersensitivity to saliva; can cause secondary skin infections from scratching. No documented ecosystem benefit as they are specialized human parasites.

Identified on: 3/15/2026