Pubic louse (or Crab louse)

Natural Habitat

Exclusively found on humans, primarily in the pubic hair or other coarse hair such as eyelashes, eyebrows, chest hair, or armpits.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

They are slow-moving and use specialized crab-like claws to anchor themselves to hair shafts. They cannot fly or jump. The life cycle consists of the egg (nit), three nymphal stages, and the adult, taking about 2-3 weeks to complete.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching (pruritus) due to an allergic reaction to their saliva and secondary skin infections from scratching. They are typically spread through close physical/sexual contact. They provide no ecosystem benefits and are considered parasitic pests.

Identified on: 1/14/2026