Pubic Louse (Crab Louse)

Natural Habitat

Human body hair, specifically the pubic region, but can occasionally be found in eyelashes, eyebrows, or armpit hair.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly hematophagous; they feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They are slow-moving and use their large, crab-like claws to grasp onto hair shafts. They cannot jump or fly and usually transfer via direct physical contact or occasionally through infested bedding/clothing.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching (pruritus) caused by an allergic reaction to their saliva and secondary skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit major diseases, but their presence indicates a need for medical treatment.

Identified on: 1/10/2026