Body Louse

Typically found on human clothing and bedding, particularly in the seams; they only move to the skin to feed.

Obligate blood-feeders; they consume human blood several times a day.

They are highly specialized parasites that live in the folds of clothing and lay eggs (nits) on fabric fibers. They spread through direct physical contact or by sharing infested clothing/bedding.

Risks include intense itching and skin rashes (pediculosis). Crucially, they are vectors for serious diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. There are no ecological benefits to humans.