Head Louse

Human scalp and hair, most commonly found behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.

Obligate hematophage; they feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.

They are wingless and cannot jump or fly; they move by crawling. They glue their eggs (nits) to the base of hair shafts.

While they cause intense itching (pediculosis) and social distress, they are not known to transmit bacterial or viral diseases; they are considered a nuisance parasite.