Community identification
Body Louse
Pediculus humanus humanus
- Order & Family
- Phthiraptera: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2.3 to 3.6 millimeters in length.
Natural Habitat
Human clothing and bedding, moving to the skin only to feed.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly hematophagous, feeding exclusively on human blood multiple times a day.
Behavior Patterns
They lay their eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing. They are highly dependent on human warmth and will die if separated from a host for more than a few days.
Risks & Benefits
They are a significant health risk as they are vectors for diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. Infestations typically occur in crowded living conditions with poor hygiene.