Body louse

Natural Habitat

Exclusively found on human clothing, particularly in the seams; they migrate to the skin only to feed.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood-feeders, consuming human blood multiple times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They lay their eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing and move back and forth between the garment and the human host. They are highly dependent on human body heat for survival.

Risks & Benefits

Significant health risk as they are vectors for diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. They cause intense itching and skin irritation (pediculosis corporis).

Identified on: 1/10/2026