Community identification
Louse (Human Head Louse)
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera), Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2.1 mm to 3.3 mm (about the size of a sesame seed)
Natural Habitat
The hair and scalp of humans, particularly behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophage; feeds exclusively on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
They are wingless and cannot jump or fly; they move by crawling. Their life cycle includes three stages: egg (nit), nymph, and adult. Eggs are cemented to the hair shaft within 1 cm of the scalp.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching (pruritus) caused by an allergic reaction to louse saliva, which can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit systemic diseases but are a significant social and economic nuisance.