Human Head Louse

Natural Habitat

The scalp and hair of humans, particularly behind the ears and near the neckline

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood-feeders that consume human blood several times a day

Behavior Patterns

They are wingless and cannot jump or fly; they move by crawling and are transmitted through direct head-to-head contact. They lay eggs (nits) firmly attached to the hair shaft.

Risks & Benefits

They cause itching and potential secondary skin infections from scratching; however, they are not known to transmit systemic diseases. They have no known benefits to the ecosystem.

Identified on: 6/11/2026