Community identification
Human Head Louse
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea; Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2.1 mm to 3.3 mm (about the size of a sesame seed).
Natural Habitat
The scalp of a human host, specifically near the hair follicles for warmth and food.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
They are wingless and cannot jump; they move by crawling from hair to hair. They attach eggs (nits) to hair shafts near the scalp with a waterproof glue.
Risks & Benefits
They cause scalp irritation and itching (pediculosis) due to an allergic reaction to their saliva. While highly contagious through direct head-to-head contact, they are not known to spread disease-causing pathogens.