Head Louse

The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) is an obligate ectoparasite of humans that causes head lice infestation (pediculosis capitis). Head lice are wingless insects spending their entire lives on the human scalp and feeding exclusively on human blood. Humans are the only known hosts of this specific parasite, while chimpanzees host a closely related species, Pediculus schaeffi. Other species of lice infest most orders of mammals and all orders of birds, as well as other parts of the human body. Lice differ from other hematophagic ectoparasites such as fleas in spending their entire lifecycle on a host. Head lice cannot fly, and their short, stumpy legs render them incapable of jumping, or even walking efficiently on flat surfaces.

Le pou de tête (Pediculus humanus capitis) est un ectoparasite obligatoire des humains qui provoque l'infestation de poux de tête (pédiculose capitis). Les poux sont des insectes sans ailes qui passent leur vie sur le cuir chevelu humain et l'alimentation exclusivement sur le sang humain. Les humains sont les seuls hôtes connus de ce parasite spécifique, alors que les chimpanzés abritent une espèce étroitement apparentée, Pediculus schaeffi. D'autres espèces de poux infestent la plupart des commandes de mammifères et tous les ordres d'oiseaux, ainsi que d'autres parties du corps humain. Lice diffèrent des autres ectoparasites hematophagic tels que les puces à passer leur cycle de vie sur un hôte. Les poux de tête ne peut pas voler, et leurs jambes courtes, trapues les rendre incapables de sauter, ou même de marcher efficacement sur des surfaces planes.

The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) is an obligate ectoparasite of humans that causes head lice infestation (pediculosis capitis). Head lice are wingless insects spending their entire lives on the human scalp and feeding exclusively on human blood. Humans are the only known hosts of this specific parasite, while chimpanzees host a closely related species, Pediculus schaeffi. Other species of lice infest most orders of mammals and all orders of birds, as well as other parts of the human body. Lice differ from other hematophagic ectoparasites such as fleas in spending their entire lifecycle on a host. Head lice cannot fly, and their short, stumpy legs render them incapable of jumping, or even walking efficiently on flat surfaces.