Body Louse (Nits/Eggs)
Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus humanus
Order & Family: Phthiraptera; Pediculidae
Size: 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm (Adults); eggs are approximately 0.8 mm.
Natural Habitat
Found primarily on clothing and bedding, moving to the skin only to feed.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly hematophagous, feeding on human blood multiple times a day.
Behavior Patterns
Nits are glued to fibers of clothing; adults crawl but cannot jump or fly; life cycle includes egg, nymph, and adult stages.
Risks & Benefits
High risk as vectors for diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever; cause intense itching and skin irritation.
Identified on: 5/26/2026