
Community identification
Body louse
Pediculus humanus humanus
- Order & Family
- Order Phthiraptera, Family Pediculidae
- Size
- 2.3 to 3.6 millimeters in length.
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively on human clothing and bedding, moving to the skin only to feed.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds entirely on human blood through piercing and sucking mouthparts.
Behavior Patterns
Spends its life cycle clinging to fabric fibers and lays eggs known as nits directly onto clothing.
Risks & Benefits
Acts as a vector for dangerous human pathogens such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever.