How do lice look on paper? - briefly
Lice transferred to paper appear as minute, oval‑shaped insects about 2–4 mm long, with a flattened, segmented body and six short legs visible as tiny protrusions. Their coloration ranges from light gray to brown, and the legs may be faintly outlined against the paper surface.
How do lice look on paper? - in detail
Lice transferred onto a sheet of paper appear as tiny, elongated insects measuring 2–4 mm in length. Their bodies are segmented into a head, thorax, and abdomen, each covered by a thin, translucent exoskeleton that allows underlying blood vessels to give a faint reddish hue. The head bears a pair of short antennae and compound eyes that reflect light as small, dark specks. Six jointed legs extend from the thorax; each leg ends in a claw that may be visible as a minute, curved hook when examined under magnification.
The abdomen contains three visible dorsal plates (tergites) separated by shallow grooves. In a relaxed state, the insect’s body is slightly flattened, allowing close contact with the paper surface. When alive, subtle movements can be observed: the legs twitch, the antennae swivel, and the body may shift in response to tactile stimulation.
Nits (egg cases) attached to the paper surface are oval, about 0.8 mm long, and have a smooth, glossy appearance. They are typically positioned near the base of the hair shaft or, on paper, near the edges of the insect’s body. Under a stereomicroscope, the nits reveal a brownish coloration and a characteristic operculum (cap) at one end.
Key visual details observable on paper:
- Coloration: translucent to light brown, with occasional reddish tones from ingested blood.
- Surface texture: glossy exoskeleton, smooth abdomen, slightly roughened leg joints.
- Leg morphology: six legs, each with a single claw; claws appear as tiny, curved projections.
- Antennae: short, filamentous, ending in a blunt tip.
- Eyes: dark, oval spots on the head, reflective under directed light.
- Nits: oval, smooth, attached near the body’s posterior region.
Accurate observation requires adequate lighting, preferably from an angled source to reduce glare, and magnification of at least 30×. Using fine‑grit paper minimizes background texture, allowing the insect’s features to stand out clearly. Preservation of the specimen on paper can be achieved by applying a light coating of ethanol, which prevents desiccation while maintaining visual clarity.