Body louse

Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus humanus

Order & Family: Order: Psocodea / Family: Pediculidae

Size: 2.3 to 3.6 millimeters long (about the size of a sesame seed).

Body louse

Natural Habitat

Found on humans, specifically in clothing, bedding, and seams of fabric near the skin.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

They live in clothing and only move to the skin to feed. They lay their eggs (nits) on or near the seams of clothing. They are typically associated with crowded living conditions and limited access to hygiene.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are vectors for serious diseases including epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. They cause intense itching and skin rash. Benefits: None.

Identified on: 3/25/2026