How many eggs can a louse lay? - briefly
A louse generally lays one to three eggs each day, reaching a total of roughly 30–40 eggs during its life span. This reproductive capacity varies slightly among species but remains within that range.
How many eggs can a louse lay? - in detail
The reproductive capacity of a louse varies among species, but most adult females produce a limited clutch of eggs during their lifespan.
A typical human head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) lays between 5 and 10 eggs per day, with a total of 50‑100 eggs over the course of its approximately 30‑day adult life. The eggs, called nits, are cemented to hair shafts and hatch after 7‑10 days under optimal temperature (30‑32 °C) and humidity (70‑80 %).
Body lice (Pediculus humanus humanus) exhibit a similar output, averaging 5‑7 eggs daily and reaching a cumulative total of 60‑80 eggs before death.
Other lice species differ:
- Sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus) produces 1‑2 eggs per day, totaling 30‑40 eggs.
- Dog chewing louse (Trichodectes canis) deposits 2‑3 eggs daily, with a total of about 30‑40 eggs.
Factors influencing egg production include temperature, host availability, nutritional status of the female, and genetic variation. Higher ambient temperatures accelerate development and may increase daily oviposition, while low humidity reduces egg viability.
Egg viability rates range from 70 % to 95 % under favorable conditions; suboptimal environments can lower hatchability to below 50 %.
In summary, a single adult female louse typically lays between 5 and 10 eggs each day, accumulating roughly 50‑100 eggs during its adult phase, with species‑specific variations dictated by environmental and physiological parameters.