Bug Identifier
Human Head Louse Egg (Nit)
Community identification

Human Head Louse Egg (Nit)

Pediculus humanus capitis

Order & Family
Order: Psocodea (formerly Phthiraptera), Family: Pediculidae
Size
Nits are approximately 0.8 mm long; adults are 2 to 3 mm in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Exclusively found on the human scalp, specifically attached to hair shafts near the skin surface for warmth.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly hematophagous; they feed on human blood several times a day. Nits (eggs) identify the developmental stage and do not feed.

Behavior Patterns

The female louse glues eggs (nits) to the base of hair shafts. Nits hatch in about 8-9 days. They cannot fly or jump and are spread via direct head-to-head contact.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching, scalp irritation, and secondary bacterial infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit diseases, but infestations cause significant social and psychological distress.