Louse

Natural Habitat

Found on the skin and hair/feathers of mammals and birds. Highly host-specific.

Diet & Feeding

Depending on the species, lice feed on blood (sucking lice like head lice, body lice, pubic lice) or on skin debris, feathers, or sebaceous secretions (chewing/biting lice often found on birds and some mammals).

Behavior Patterns

Lice are obligate parasites, meaning they cannot survive long off their host. They have a simple life cycle of egg (nit), nymph, and adult. They are generally slow-moving, clinging tightly to hair or feathers. Transmission is usually through direct contact or shared personal items.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Cause itching, irritation (pediculosis), and can lead to secondary skin infections from scratching. Some species can transmit diseases (e.g., body lice can transmit trench fever, relapsing fever, and epidemic typhus). Benefits: None known for humans; they are generally considered pests. In ecosystems, they play a minor role in host population regulation and as part of the food chain for other insects or small animals.

Identified on: 9/14/2025