Community identification
Louse (Head louse)
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea, Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2.1 to 3.3 millimeters (approximately the size of a sesame seed)
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively on the human scalp and hair shaft
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous; feeds on human blood several times a day
Behavior Patterns
Crawls and climbs (cannot jump or fly); females lay eggs (nits) at the base of hair shafts. They are highly specialized parasites.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching (pruritus) due to allergic reactions to saliva, and potential secondary bacterial skin infections from scratching. They do not transmit diseases but cause significant social distress.