Community identification
Louse (likely Head Louse)
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera), Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2mm to 3mm in length (roughly the size of a sesame seed).
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively on the human scalp, where it clings to hair shafts with specialized claws.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophage; it feeds exclusively on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
They are wingless and cannot jump or fly; they move by crawling. Females lay eggs (nits) and cement them to hair shafts near the scalp for warmth. They survive only 24-48 hours away from a human host.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching (allergic reaction to saliva), skin irritation, and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit systemic diseases. There are no ecological benefits to humans.