Human Body Louse vs Human Head Louse
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Human Body Louse | Human Head Louse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pediculus humanus humanus | Pediculus humanus capitis |
| Order | Phthiraptera | Phthiraptera |
| Family | Pediculidae | Pediculidae |
| Size | 2.5-3.5 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Indoors | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Human Body Louse
Closely related to the head louse but lives in clothing rather than on hair. It is the vector for epidemic typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever.
Did You Know?
Body lice are believed to have evolved from head lice when humans first began wearing clothing roughly 70,000 to 170,000 years ago.
Human Head Louse
An obligate ectoparasite of the human scalp that feeds on blood several times per day. It spreads through direct head-to-head contact.
Did You Know?
Head lice have co-evolved with humans for millions of years, and DNA analysis of lice has helped trace ancient human migration patterns.