Human Head Louse
Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus capitis
Order & Family: Order: Psocodea; Family: Pediculidae
Size: 2-3 mm in length (roughly the size of a sesame seed).
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively on the human scalp, typically attaching to hair shafts.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood feeders, consuming human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
They are wingless and cannot jump; they spread through direct head-to-head contact. Females lay eggs (nits) near the base of the hair shaft.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, scalp irritation, and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching. They do not transmit diseases.
Identified on: 2/22/2026