Human Crab Louse (Pubic Louse)

Natural Habitat

Primarily the pubic hair of humans; can occasionally be found in other coarse body hair like armpits, beards, or eyelashes.

Diet & Feeding

Sanguinivorous (blood-feeding); they feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They are wingless and slow-moving, clinging to hair shafts with specialized claw-like legs. Their life cycle consists of the egg (nit), three nymphal stages, and the adult, spanning approximately 30 days.

Risks & Benefits

Can cause intense itching (pruritus) and skin irritation (pediculosis pubis) due to an allergic reaction to their saliva. They are indicators of close physical contact but are not known to transmit significant pathogens.

Identified on: 6/6/2026