How does an enlarged louse look? - briefly
An enlarged louse resembles a magnified version of the normal insect, with a flattened, elongated body, clearly defined segments, and proportionally larger legs and antennae. Its exoskeleton appears darker, and the head, thorax, and abdomen are distinctly visible.
How does an enlarged louse look? - in detail
A magnified louse appears as a compact, laterally flattened organism roughly three to four millimeters in length when observed at a scale ten times larger than its natural size. The body is divided into three distinct regions: head, thorax, and abdomen, each clearly delineated by subtle ridges.
The head bears a pair of short antennae, each consisting of five segmented filaments that terminate in fine sensory cones. Beneath the antennae, the mouthparts form a piercing‑sucking apparatus, with a slender stylet visible as a thin, curved tube.
Three pairs of legs emerge from the thoracic segment. Each leg ends in a claw equipped with a tiny hook, allowing the insect to grasp hair shafts securely. The legs are relatively short, with visible joints and setae covering the tibiae.
The abdomen consists of several overlapping plates (tergites) that give the insect a segmented appearance. The dorsal surface is covered with minute, scale‑like cuticular plates that reflect light, creating a slightly iridescent sheen. Ventral plates are smoother, exposing the digestive tract and reproductive organs when the specimen is dissected.
Coloration ranges from pale yellow‑brown on the ventral side to a darker, amber hue dorsally. The cuticle exhibits a fine, granular texture that becomes more pronounced under high magnification.
Key visual characteristics:
- Compact, laterally flattened body, 3–4 mm at enlarged scale
- Distinct head, thorax, abdomen segmentation
- Five‑segment antennae with terminal sensory cones
- Three pairs of short, jointed legs ending in hooked claws
- Dorsal iridescent cuticle with overlapping tergites
- Ventral pale coloration, dorsal amber tone
- Visible piercing‑sucking mouthparts (stylet) beneath the head
These details provide a complete visual profile of a louse when examined at an enlarged scale.