Community identification
Louse (specifically Nits/Head Lice)
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera), Family: Pediculidae
- Size
- Nymphs and adults are 2–3 mm long; eggs (nits) are approximately 0.8 mm
Natural Habitat
Exclusively on the human scalp and hair
Diet & Feeding
Obligate parasites that feed exclusively on human blood several times a day
Behavior Patterns
They cannot jump or fly; they move by crawling via hair-to-hair contact. Females glue oval eggs (nits) to the base of hair shafts near the scalp.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, scalp irritation, and potential secondary bacterial skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit diseases.