Pubic Louse

Natural Habitat

Exclusively found on human hosts, predominantly in the pubic region, but occasionally in other coarse hair areas such as eyebrows or armpits.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophage; they feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They are wingless and slow-moving, using specialized claw-like legs to grasp coarse hairs. They spend their entire life cycle on the host, laying eggs (nits) that glue to hair shafts.

Risks & Benefits

Risk: Causes intense itching (pruritus) due to an allergic reaction to their saliva. While they do not transmit major diseases, secondary skin infections can occur from scratching. Benefit: None to humans; they are strictly parasitic.

Identified on: 2/13/2026