Photo credit: Beverly Sparks
Head louse
Scientific name: Pediculus humanus Linnaeus
(Phthiraptera: Pediculidae)
Facts: Sucking lice are small, flat, wingless parasites. The mouthparts are formed for piercing and sucking. They feed on blood of the host which is usually a mammal. The human louse has two subspecies, the body louse and the head louse. Head lice are usually found only on the head. They are up to 3.5 mm long.