Pubic Louse (Crab Louse)

Natural Habitat

Exclusively found on human coarse hair, primarily in the pubic region, but occasionally on eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, mustache, chest, or armpit hair.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous (blood-feeders); they feed exclusively on human blood by biting the skin.

Behavior Patterns

These lice are parasitic insects that grasp coarse hairs with their crab-like claws. They are relatively immobile, often staying attached to a single hair while feeding. Their life cycle includes nit (egg), nymph, and adult stages, completed entirely on the host.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They cause intense itching (pruritus) due to an allergic reaction to their saliva. Secondary bacterial infection can occur from scratching. They are spread primarily through sexual contact or shared bedding/towels. Benefits: None; they are obligate parasites.

Identified on: 3/3/2026