Head Louse (Nit/Egg)

Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus capitis

Order & Family: Order: Psocodea; Family: Pediculidae

Size: Nits (eggs) are approximately 0.8 mm long; adults are 2-3 mm.

Head Louse (Nit/Egg)

Natural Habitat

Human scalp and hair, specifically attached to individual hair shafts close to the scalp.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate parasites that feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They are wingless and cannot jump; they spread via direct head-to-head contact. Eggs (nits) are cemented to the hair shaft and hatch in about 8-9 days.

Risks & Benefits

Causes intense itching (pruritus) and scalp irritation. They do not transmit diseases, but scratching can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections.

Identified on: 1/11/2026