How do linen lice look? - briefly
Linen lice are tiny, wingless insects about 2–3 mm long, with a flattened, oval body covered in fine, silvery‑gray scales that give them a dust‑like appearance.
How do linen lice look? - in detail
Linen lice, scientifically known as Pediculus humanus corporis, are small, wingless insects that inhabit fabrics and clothing. Adult specimens measure 2–4 mm in length, with a flattened, oval body adapted for moving through fibers. Their coloration ranges from pale brown to reddish‑brown, becoming darker after a blood meal. The exoskeleton is smooth and glossy, lacking noticeable setae.
Key morphological features include:
- Head: short, rounded, bearing a pair of compound eyes and rudimentary antennae with five segments.
- Mouthparts: piercing‑sucking apparatus designed for hematophagy; visible as a small proboscis when the insect is feeding.
- Thorax: bears three pairs of short legs, each ending in claw‑like tarsi that grip fabric fibers.
- Abdomen: segmented, slightly broader than the thorax, with dorsal plates (tergites) that may show faint lines or punctuations.
Nymphs (instars) resemble adults but are smaller (1–2 mm) and lighter in color, lacking fully developed reproductive organs. Their bodies are less sclerotized, giving a translucent appearance under magnification.
When viewed under a stereomicroscope, the lice exhibit a characteristic “boat‑shaped” silhouette, with the dorsal surface slightly convex and the ventral side flattened to facilitate movement between threads. The overall morphology enables efficient navigation through woven materials and rapid attachment to a host during contact.