Community identification
Head louse (nits and debris)
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera); Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- Nits (eggs) are 0.8 mm; adults are 2 to 3 mm long.
Natural Habitat
Exclusively the human scalp and hair, where they stay close to the skin for warmth and food.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate ectoparasites that feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
Lice cannot jump or fly; they spread through direct head-to-head contact. Nits are glued to hair shafts near the scalp and hatch in about 8-9 days.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching (pruritus), sleep loss, and secondary bacterial infections from scratching. They are not known to spread disease-causing pathogens.