
Community identification
Head louse
Pediculus humanus capitis
- Order & Family
- Order Phthiraptera, Family Pediculidae
- Size
- 2 to 3 millimeters long.
Natural Habitat
Human scalp hair and clothing fibers close to the skin.
Diet & Feeding
Exclusively human blood, feeding several times daily.
Behavior Patterns
Crawls rapidly through hair but cannot jump or fly; attaches tiny eggs called nits firmly to hair shafts.
Risks & Benefits
Causes intense scalp itching, irritation, and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching; no ecological benefits to humans.