Pediculus humanus 6 06.jpg

Taxonomy: Order Phthiraptera (lice)
Animal: Pediculus humanus 6 06.jpg
Sites: Skin
Comment:
Pediculus humanus (head or body louse)- females 3 - 4.5 mm. Ped. humanus var. capitis is not confined to the head but also occurs on the body; Ped. humanus var. corporis only occurs on the body. The eggs of both are similar; var. capitis adults tend to be smaller (male 2mm, female 2.8-3mm), browner in colour and the antennae segments not so elongate. The body louse is a dirty grey colour, is larger (male 3mm, female 4.5 mm), texture softer and antennae segments more elongated. This variety is an important vector of typhus fever, trench fever and louse -borne relapsing fever.

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