Body Louse

Found on the human body, specifically living and laying eggs (nits) in clothing, bedding, or fabric seams that contact skin.

Obligate hematophage: feeds exclusively on human blood several times a day.

They are crawling insects that cannot jump or fly; they move to the skin only for feeding. They reproduce rapidly, with females laying about 5-10 eggs per day in clothing fibers.

Risks: Can cause intense itching and skin rashes (pediculosis). Unlike head lice, body lice are vectors for serious diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. There are no ecological benefits.