How does the clothing louse appear? - briefly
The clothing louse is a tiny, wingless insect about 1–2 mm long, gray‑brown, with a flattened, elongated body suited for navigating fabrics. It typically inhabits infested garments such as wool, feeding on skin debris and sweat.
How does the clothing louse appear? - in detail
The clothing louse, Pediculus humanus corporis, is a small, laterally flattened ectoparasite adapted to the seams of human garments. Adults measure 2–4 mm in length, exhibit a reddish‑brown coloration, and possess a hard exoskeleton that protects the body during movement through fabric. The head bears a pair of antennae, each composed of five segments, while the thorax supports three pairs of legs, each ending in a claw capable of gripping fibers. The abdomen is segmented, allowing flexibility when the insect navigates tight spaces.
Morphological details of the adult form include:
- Dorsal surface: smooth, slightly convex, lacking prominent setae.
- Ventral surface: flattened, with a ventral plate that contacts clothing material.
- Mouthparts: piercing‑sucking apparatus designed for blood extraction from the host’s skin.
- Respiratory system: spiracles located on the lateral margins of the thorax.
The life cycle comprises three stages: egg (nit), nymph, and adult. Eggs are oval, 0.5 mm long, and firmly attached to the fibers of clothing by a cementing substance. Each egg contains an embryonic louse and hatches in 6–10 days under optimal temperature and humidity. Nymphs resemble miniature adults but lack fully developed genitalia and are lighter in color; they undergo three molts over 9–12 days before reaching maturity.
All stages are highly adapted to remain concealed within seams, folds, and creases of clothing, where they are protected from external disturbances and can access the host’s skin for feeding. This structural specialization ensures the parasite’s survival and reproduction in the human environment.