Louse Nit
Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus capitis (Egg)
Order & Family: Order: Psocodea; Family: Pediculidae
Size: Approximately 0.8 mm in length; about the size of a knot in a thread
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively on the human scalp and attached firmly to individual hair shafts
Diet & Feeding
Nits do not eat; however, once hatched, the nymph/adult louse feeds on human blood
Behavior Patterns
Nits are eggs glued to hair shafts by females near the scalp for warmth. They hatch in about 7-10 days.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching (pruritus), sleep disruption, and secondary skin infections from scratching; they have no ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 1/2/2026