Body Louse
Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus humanus
Order & Family: Order Psocodea, Family Pediculidae
Size: 2.3 mm to 3.6 mm
Natural Habitat
Inhabits human clothing, bedding, and textiles, moving to the skin only to feed.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders that consume human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
They lay their eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing and are typically found in crowded living conditions where hygiene may be compromised.
Risks & Benefits
Known vectors of diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. They cause intense itching and skin irritation.
Identified on: 2/6/2026