Pediculus species
Pediculus humanus, adults
Pediculus humanus, has an elongated body (longer than the crab louse, Pthirus pubis) and "crab-like" claws. Pediculus humanus humanus is commonly known as the human body louse, while P. h. capitis is known as the human head louse. While the former is usually found on the torso and the latter on the head, the two lice may change locations and are morphologically indistinguishable. Adult females are 3 to 4 mm long, while males are slightly smaller. Females have a notched posterior, while males have a pointed posterior with a clearly-visible genital apparatus. You can see videos of live P. humanus capitis HERE and HERE.
Pediculus humanus capitis, eggs
This is the heaviest infestation of head lice I've ever seen. Note the numerous eggs (nits) of Pediculus humanus capitis (the human head louse) cemented onto a strand of hair. The eggs of the closely-related subspecies, P. h. humanus (the human body louse) have a similar appearance but are laid onto clothing rather than hair. Phong Duong was able to capture the amazing photo below of a Pediculus hominis capitis nymph emerging from an egg.
