Louse (empty nit shell)
Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus capitis
Order & Family: Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera), Family: Pediculidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1 mm for the egg/nit
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively on the human scalp and hair shafts
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous; nymph and adult stages feed on human blood multiple times a day
Behavior Patterns
Nits are glued to the base of the hair shaft near the scalp for warmth; empty casings remain attached after hatching or treatment
Risks & Benefits
Causes scalp irritation and itching; high transmission risk in communal settings, though they do not spread diseases
Identified on: 12/31/2025