Community identification
Head louse
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Phthiraptera, Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2 to 3 millimeters long (about the size of a sesame seed)
Natural Habitat
Human hair and scalp, preferring areas close to the skin for warmth and access to blood vessels.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds exclusively on human blood, piercing the scalp multiple times a day.
Behavior Patterns
Flightless and wingless, moving by crawling through hair strands; females lay eggs (nits) securely cemented to the base of hair shafts near the scalp.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include persistent scalp irritation, itching, and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching; they provide no ecological benefit to humans as they are obligate human parasites.