Community identification
Head Louse Nit
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea, Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- Nits are approximately 0.8 mm by 0.3 mm; adults are 2-3 mm long.
Natural Habitat
Exclusively on the human scalp, with nits (eggs) typically cemented to hair shafts near the skin.
Diet & Feeding
Adults and nymphs feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
Nits are laid by females and glued to hair; they hatch in 7-10 days. Lice cannot hop or fly but crawl between hosts via direct head-to-head contact.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching (pruritus) due to an allergic reaction to louse saliva, secondary skin infections from scratching, and social distress. They are not known to transmit systemic diseases.