How do white lice look? - briefly
White lice are tiny, oval insects 1–3 mm long with a translucent, milky‑white exoskeleton, six legs, and short antennae.
How do white lice look? - in detail
White lice are diminutive, flattened insects measuring approximately 1 mm in length. Their bodies consist of three distinct regions—head, thorax, and abdomen—each covered by a smooth, waxy exoskeleton that appears almost translucent. The overall coloration ranges from pale ivory to a faint grayish hue, giving the impression of a milky or chalky surface when observed under magnification.
The head bears a pair of short, forward‑projecting antennae composed of five segmented filaments. Sensory cones at the tip of each antenna are barely visible against the light background. Compound eyes are reduced to tiny, dark spots situated laterally on the head capsule; they lack prominent facets and are often mistaken for pigment deposits.
Thoracic segments support six legs, each ending in claw‑like tarsi equipped with a single hook for grasping host hair shafts. The legs are slender, pale, and covered with fine setae that aid in locomotion. The abdomen consists of eight visible segments, each delineated by subtle grooves. Spiracles appear as minute openings along the lateral margins, barely discernible against the surrounding cuticle.
Internally, the digestive tract is a thin, pale tube running the length of the abdomen, filled with a semi‑transparent fluid that contributes to the overall whitish appearance. Reproductive structures are concealed within the posterior abdomen and are not externally distinguishable without dissection.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Size: 0.8–1.2 mm, flattened dorsoventrally.
- Color: translucent ivory to light gray.
- Head: short antennae (5‑segment), reduced compound eyes.
- Legs: six, slender, with single terminal hook.
- Abdomen: eight segmented, smooth cuticle, minute spiracles.
These traits collectively define the visual profile of white lice, distinguishing them from pigmented or larger lice species.