Pubic Louse (Crab Louse)

Natural Habitat

Exclusively found on humans, typically in the pubic hair or other areas with coarse hair such as eyelashes, eyebrows, beard, or chest hair.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on human blood to survive and develop.

Behavior Patterns

Slow-moving and sedentary; they use specialized claws to grasp coarse hair shafts. They cannot jump or fly. They undergo three nymphal stages before reaching adulthood and typically live for about 30 days on a host.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Infestations (pediculosis pubis) cause intense itching, allergic reactions to saliva, and small blue spots on the skin. They are primarily transmitted through close physical/sexual contact. They are not known to transmit bacterial diseases but can indicate the presence of other STIs.

Identified on: 3/12/2026