Body Louse or Head Louse (Pediculosis)

Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus humanus (Body louse) or Pediculus humanus capitis (Head louse)

Order & Family: Order: Phthiraptera, Family: Pediculidae

Size: 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm in length

Body Louse or Head Louse (Pediculosis)

Natural Habitat

Body lice live in clothing and bedding, moving to the skin only to feed. Head lice live exclusively on the human scalp and hair shafts.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous (feeds exclusively on human blood)

Behavior Patterns

Flightless ectoparasites that crawl rapidly; they cling to fibers or hair using specialized claws. Their life cycle includes egg (nit), nymph, and adult stages.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Causes intense itching (pruritus) and skin irritation. Body lice can transmit serious diseases like typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever. Head lice do not transmit disease but are a nuisance and cause social stigma.

Identified on: 3/9/2026