Pubic Louse (commonly known as Crabs)

Natural Habitat

Found exclusively on humans, primarily in the pubic hair and surrounding inguinal area; occasionally found in eyelashes, eyebrows, beards, or armpit hair.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood-feeders; they consume human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They are relatively sedentary, grasping hair shafts with large, crab-like claws. They cannot jump or fly and are transmitted primarily through close physical or sexual contact, or contact with contaminated clothing and bedding.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching (pruritus) caused by an allergic reaction to their saliva, secondary skin infections from scratching, and social distress. They carry no known diseases but signify possible exposure to other sexually transmitted infections.

Identified on: 12/31/2025