Pubic louse (Crab louse)

Found primarily in human pubic and perianal hair, but can occasionally be found in other coarse body hair like eyelashes, eyebrows, beard, or chest hair.

Obligate ectoparasite; feeds exclusively on human blood as its sole source of nutrition.

They are relatively immobile once attached to a host hair. They grip onto hairs with distinctively large, crab-like claws. They cannot jump or fly and are usually transmitted through close physical contact or shared items like towels or bedding.

Risks include intense itching (pruritus) caused by an allergic reaction to their saliva, and skin irritation. While they do not transmit diseases, scratching can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections. There are no ecological benefits to humans.