Pubic louse (or Crab louse)

Natural Habitat

Exclusively found on humans, typically in the coarse hair of the pubic and perianal regions, but occasionally in eyelashes, eyebrows, or chest hair.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They are slow-moving and use their large, crab-like claws to grasp hair shafts tightly. They cannot jump or fly and are usually transmitted through close physical/sexual contact or occasionally through shared bedding/clothing.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching (pruritus due to an allergic reaction to saliva) and blue spots at feeding sites. They do not transmit diseases, but scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections. They offer no known ecosystem benefits.

Identified on: 3/27/2026