Body Louse
Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus humanus
Order & Family: Order: Psocodea / Family: Pediculidae
Size: 2.3 to 3.6 millimeters in length
Natural Habitat
Typically found on clothing and bedding, only moving to the skin to feed
Diet & Feeding
Exclusively human blood, obtained through frequent feedings throughout the day
Behavior Patterns
They lay their eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing and spread through close person-to-person contact or sharing infested textiles
Risks & Benefits
Potential risk to humans as they can transmit serious bacterial diseases such as louse-borne typhus, trench fever, and epidemic relapsing fever
Identified on: 7/1/2026