Head Louse Nit

Scientific Name: 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.

Head Louse Nit

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.

Identified on: 3/12/2026