Community identification
Louse egg (Nits)
Pediculus humanus capitis (egg stage)
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea / Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- Approximately 0.8 mm long (about the size of a knot in thread).
Natural Habitat
Typically found firmly attached to Human hair shafts, especially near the scalp behind ears or at the nape of the neck.
Diet & Feeding
Eggs do not feed; hatched nymphs and adults feed exclusively on human blood.
Behavior Patterns
The female louse lays eggs near the scalp where the warmth of the head acts as an incubator; eggs hatch in approximately 7 to 10 days.
Risks & Benefits
Causes intense itching and social stigma; while they do not spread disease, secondary skin infections can occur from scratching.