Body Louse Egg (Nit)

Natural Habitat

Found on fibers of clothing, bedding, and linens, particularly near seams that touch the skin.

Diet & Feeding

The adult and nymphal stages of body lice feed exclusively on human blood.

Behavior Patterns

Unlike head lice, body lice live and lay their eggs (nits) on clothing rather than the host's body. They move onto the skin only to feed, usually during sleep or when the host is stationary.

Risks & Benefits

Risk: They are a significant public health concern because they can transmit serious diseases like epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. Benefit: None to humans or the ecosystem.

Identified on: 1/8/2026