Head louse
Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus capitis
Order & Family: Order: Psocodea, Family: Pediculidae
Size: 2 mm to 3 mm (about the size of a sesame seed)
Natural Habitat
Human scalp and hair
Diet & Feeding
Obligate ectoparasite; feeds on human blood multiple times a day
Behavior Patterns
Crawls (cannot jump or fly); spreads via direct head-to-head contact; glue eggs (nits) to hair shafts near the scalp
Risks & Benefits
Causes intense itching and potential secondary skin infections from scratching; no known benefits to the ecosystem
Identified on: 6/2/2026