Louse (Head louse / Body louse)

Natural Habitat

Human host (scalp for head lice; clothing for body lice)

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

They are wingless, crawling insects that cannot fly or jump. They cling to hair or fabric with specialized claws and lay eggs (nits) that are glued to hair shafts or clothing fibers.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching (pruritus) and potential secondary skin infections from scratching. Body lice can transmit diseases like epidemic typhus, but head lice are generally considered a nuisance rather than a vector for major diseases.

Identified on: 3/11/2026