Community identification
Human Head Louse
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea, Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2mm to 3mm in length (roughly the size of a sesame seed).
Natural Habitat
The scalp and hair of humans; they are obligate ectoparasites that cannot survive long away from a human host.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly hematophagous (blood-feeding); they feed on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
They do not fly or jump; they move by crawling. They lay eggs (nits) and cement them to the base of hair shafts. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 3 weeks.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, scalp irritation, and potential secondary bacterial skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit systemic diseases but are considered a nuisance pest.