Description

  • Metamorphosis: gradual (egg to nymph to adult).
  • Immature: looks like the adult.
  • Adult: sucking mouthparts, wingless, very small, head slender and pointed.

Habitat

The sucking lice are ectoparasites of humans and other mammals. Some species vector diseases.

Classification and Groups

9 families and 70 species in North America.
About 500 species worldwide.

Medically Important Families:

  • Pediculidae: includes the human head and body louse (Pediculus humanus and Pediculus capitis)
  • Pthiridae: contains the human pubic louse or crab louse (Pthirus pubis).