Community identification
Head Louse (plural: Head Lice)
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera), Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2-3 mm in length (roughly the size of a sesame seed).
Natural Habitat
Human scalp and hair, specifically adapted to live close to the skin surface for warmth and food.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
They are wingless and cannot jump or fly; they move by crawling. They cement their eggs (nits) to hair shafts. They cannot survive for more than 24-48 hours away from a human host.
Risks & Benefits
They cause intense itching (pruritus) and scalp irritation. While they are a nuisance and can lead to secondary skin infections from scratching, they are not known to transmit bacterial or viral diseases.