Community identification
Body Louse
Pediculus humanus humanus
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera), Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Human clothing and bedding, moving to the skin only to feed
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagy (feeds exclusively on human blood several times a day)
Behavior Patterns
They lay their eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing and spend most of their time attached to fabric rather than hair. They are most common in conditions of overcrowding and poor hygiene.
Risks & Benefits
Risk of intense itching and skin rashes (pediculosis). They are significant vectors for diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. There are no ecological benefits.