Community identification
Head Louse
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea; Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2 mm to 3 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Human scalp and hair
Diet & Feeding
Obligate ectoparasite that feeds exclusively on human blood
Behavior Patterns
Lice crawl but cannot hop or fly; they glue their eggs (nits) to the base of hair shafts. The life cycle consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, allergic reactions to bites, and secondary skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit systemic diseases but are a significant public health nuisance.