How long does it take for lice to reproduce? - briefly
Eggs hatch in approximately 7–10 days. Nymphs become fertile adults after another 9–12 days, resulting in a total reproductive cycle of roughly 16–22 days.
How long does it take for lice to reproduce? - in detail
Lice complete their reproductive cycle in a matter of weeks. After a female deposits an egg, the egg (nit) requires 7–10 days to develop and hatch. The emerging nymph undergoes three molts; each stage lasts about 2–4 days, so the transition from hatching to a sexually mature adult takes roughly 9–12 days. Once mature, a female can mate within a day and begins laying eggs. Egg‑laying occurs continuously, with a female producing 4–8 eggs every 24 hours. Over a lifespan of about 30 days, a single adult can generate 30–50 viable offspring.
Key points summarizing the timeline:
- Egg incubation: 7–10 days.
- Nymphal development (three instars): 9–12 days total.
- Time to first oviposition after reaching adulthood: ≤1 day.
- Egg‑laying rate: 4–8 eggs per day.
- Adult lifespan: ≈30 days, yielding 30–50 eggs per female.
Environmental temperature and host hygiene influence the duration of each stage; higher temperatures accelerate development, while low humidity can reduce egg viability. Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) and body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis) follow the same basic schedule, though body lice may develop slightly faster under optimal conditions. Consequently, a newly hatched louse can produce its first generation of eggs within approximately two weeks, and the population can expand exponentially if unchecked.