Community identification
Head Louse (Eggs/Nits)
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Psocodea: Pediculidae
- Size
- 0.5 mm to 3 mm (nits are approximately 0.8 mm)
Natural Habitat
Human scalp and hair
Diet & Feeding
Obligate ectoparasites that feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.
Behavior Patterns
Nits are glued to the hair shaft near the scalp. They hatch in 7-10 days, crawl to the scalp to feed, and cannot fly or jump. They spread through direct head-to-head contact.
Risks & Benefits
Causes intense itching and social distress. They do not transmit diseases, but secondary bacterial infections can occur from scratching.