Community identification
Head Louse
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea; Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2.1 to 3.3 millimeters (roughly the size of a sesame seed)
Natural Habitat
Human scalp, hair, and occasionally fabric surfaces in close contact with humans
Diet & Feeding
Obligate ectoparasite that feeds exclusively on human blood several times a day
Behavior Patterns
They are wingless and cannot jump or fly; they move by crawling and use specialized claws to grip hair shafts. They lay eggs (nits) at the base of hair fibers.
Risks & Benefits
Cause intense itching and potential secondary skin infections from scratching; they do not transmit serious diseases but are highly contagious among humans.