Head Louse (Nit/Egg Casing)

Exclusively on the human scalp and hair shafts, particularly near the neckline and behind the ears.

Hematophagous (feed exclusively on human blood from the scalp).

Lice cement their eggs (nits) firmly to hair shafts close to the scalp. They cannot jump or fly but crawl rapidly. The image likely shows an empty nit casing or a viable egg attached to fibers or hair.

Risks: Intense itching and scalp irritation due to allergic reaction to saliva; potential secondary bacterial infection from scratching. They are not known to transmit disease, unlike body lice. Benefits: None known to humans.