Community identification
Human Head Louse
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera); Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2 to 3 mm in length (roughly the size of a sesame seed).
Natural Habitat
The scalp and hair of humans; most commonly found behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly hematophagous; they feed on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
They are wingless, crawling insects that cannot jump or fly. They attach their eggs (nits) to hair shafts near the scalp with a waterproof glue-like substance. They spread through direct head-to-head contact.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, scalp irritation, and potential secondary bacterial skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit systemic diseases. There are no ecological benefits to humans.