Community identification
Louse egg (Nit) on a hair shaft
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera), Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- Nits are approximately 0.8 mm long; adult lice are 2 mm to 3 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively on the human scalp, attached to individual hair shafts near the base of the hair.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly bloodsucking; both nymphs and adults feed on human blood multiple times a day.
Behavior Patterns
Nits are glued to the hair shaft with a specialized cement. They hatch in 7-10 days into nymphs. Adults cannot fly or jump and spread primarily via direct head-to-head contact.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching (pruritus), sleep disturbance, and potential secondary bacterial skin infections from scratching. They are a significant nuisance but do not transmit major diseases like body lice.