Community identification
Human Head Louse
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea; Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- 2mm to 3mm for adults; nits (eggs) are approximately 0.8mm
Natural Habitat
The human scalp and hair
Diet & Feeding
Obligate parasite that feeds exclusively on human blood several times a day
Behavior Patterns
They do not jump or fly; they move by crawling. Eggs are firmly glued at the base of hair shafts near the scalp. They cannot survive for more than 24-48 hours away from a human host.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes intense itching, scalp irritation, and potential secondary bacterial skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit systemic diseases but are highly contagious through head-to-head contact.