Body Louse or Head Louse

Natural Habitat

Exclusively on human hosts, living in clothing or head hair near the scalp.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood feeders, consuming human blood several times daily.

Behavior Patterns

They are wingless, crawl to move, and cannot jump. They attach eggs (nits) to hair shafts or clothing fibers and thrive on close personal contact or sharing of items.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. Body lice specifically can transmit serious diseases like epidemic typhus and trench fever. There are no ecological benefits.

Identified on: 12/26/2025