Body Louse
Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus humanus
Order & Family: Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera); Family: Pediculidae
Size: 2.5 – 3.6 mm for adults
Natural Habitat
Typically found on clothing and bedding of infested humans; they move to the skin only to feed.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagy; they feed exclusively on human blood.
Behavior Patterns
They lay eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing. They are highly dependent on human body heat and must feed several times a day to survive.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching and skin rashes (pediculosis). They are significant vectors for serious diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. There are no ecological benefits.
Identified on: 3/14/2026