Clothing Louse (also known as Body Louse)

Located on the clothing of human hosts, specifically in seams and folds close to the skin.

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

They live in clothing and only move onto the skin to feed. Unlike head lice, they lay their eggs (nits) in the seams of fabrics. They are spread by close personal contact or sharing contaminated clothing and bedding.

They pose significant health risks as they are vectors for diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. They cause intense itching and skin rashes (pediculosis corporis).