Pediculus spp.

Characteristics 

• Insect: Three part body (head/thorax /abdomen) and 6 legs
• Dorso-ventrally flattened, size 2-3 mm
• Wingless
• Large claws
• Lice eggs (nits) attached to scalp hair or clothing or pubic hair
• Permanent ectoparasites
• Incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabole) (larvaes look the same as adults), life cycle from egg to adult 17-21 days
• All stages of development (larvaes + adults) are blood feeders, P.vest. can starve for 7 days
• Adults become 4 weeks old
• The female lays about 3-4 eggs per day           

• Medical significance: 

Body louse vector of diseases:

• Pediculosis; n case of a heavy infestation, it can lead to skin problems
• Epidemic typhus (Rickettsia prowazeki)
• Relapsing fever (Borrelia recurrentis)
• Trench fever (Bartonella quintana)

•Infestation: 

• Direct contact (active)
• Indirect with shared combs, hats, towels,clothing, beds (passive)