Bug Identifier
Human Head Louse (Nits)
Community identification

Human Head Louse (Nits)

Pediculus humanus capitis

Order & Family
Order: Psocodea, Family: Pediculidae
Size
Nits (eggs) are 0.8 mm long; adults are 2.1 to 3.3 mm long.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Primarily found attached to human hair shafts close to the scalp, often behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly hematophagous; they feed on human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They cannot jump or fly; they spread via direct head-to-head contact. Nits are glued to the hair shaft by the female and hatch in about 7-10 days.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching (pruritus), sleep loss, and secondary bacterial skin infections from scratching. They are not known to spread disease-causing pathogens.