How do lice lay eggs? - briefly
Female lice use a specialized ovipositor to cement each egg, called a nit, to a hair shaft close to the scalp, where it remains attached until hatching. They typically lay five to ten nits per day, spacing them along the hair.
How do lice lay eggs? - in detail
Lice reproduce by producing small, oval eggs that are cemented to the host’s hair or feathers. The female’s reproductive system contains paired ovaries that release mature oocytes. After mating, each oocyte is fertilized and moves into the lateral oviduct where it receives a protective shell composed of chorion proteins. The fully formed egg measures about 0.8 mm in length and is transparent to whitish in color.
Egg deposition occurs through a specialized ovipositor located at the posterior end of the abdomen. The female positions the ovipositor against the hair shaft, releases an egg, and applies a viscous, protein‑rich glue that hardens within seconds. This process is repeated several times per day; a single adult can lay 5–10 eggs daily, reaching a total of 100–150 over its lifespan.
Key characteristics of the eggs:
- Attachment: cemented close to the scalp, typically within 1 mm of the skin surface.
- Incubation period: 7–10 days at 30 °C; lower temperatures extend development.
- Hatching: nymph emerges by using a tiny operculum, then immediately begins feeding on host blood.
Factors influencing reproductive output include:
- Availability of blood meals: frequent feeding accelerates oocyte maturation.
- Host temperature: optimal range promotes faster embryogenesis.
- Female age: peak laying occurs during the first two weeks after molting to adulthood.
Understanding each step—from oocyte development, shell formation, to cemented attachment—provides a comprehensive view of how these ectoparasites propagate on their hosts.