Body Louse
Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus humanus
Order & Family: Order: Psocodea (formerly Anoplura), Family: Pediculidae
Size: 2.3 to 3.6 mm (roughly the size of a sesame seed)
Natural Habitat
Found primarily on the clothing and bedding of infested humans; they only move to the skin to feed.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate parasites that feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
They lay their eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing rather than on hair. They spread through direct contact or sharing of infested garments.
Risks & Benefits
They pose significant health risks as vectors for diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. They have no ecosystem benefits.
Identified on: 1/4/2026