Community identification
Head louse (eggs/nits)
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea; Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- Nits (eggs) are 0.8 mm; adults are 2 to 3 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Exclusively on the human scalp and hair, often concentrated behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate ectoparasites that feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
Nits are glued to the hair shaft close to the scalp. They cannot jump or fly, spreading through direct head-to-head contact. Life cycle spans about 30 days from egg to adult.
Risks & Benefits
Causes intense itching (pediculosis) due to an allergic reaction to saliva; they do not transmit diseases but can cause secondary skin infections from scratching. No ecosystem benefits.