How many larvae does a louse lay per day? - briefly
A female head louse typically produces three to four eggs each day. This rate can vary slightly with temperature and the insect’s age.
How many larvae does a louse lay per day? - in detail
Female head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) typically deposit five to seven eggs each day under optimal conditions. In warm, humid environments the rate can rise to eight or nine, while cooler or dry settings may reduce output to three or four. Egg production continues for the female’s lifespan, roughly 30 days, after which she dies without further laying.
Key factors influencing daily egg numbers:
- Temperature: 28–30 °C maximizes reproductive activity.
- Host availability: Continuous access to a human scalp sustains high output.
- Nutritional status of the host: Adequate blood meals support egg synthesis.
Eggs (nits) are glued to hair shafts within 1 mm of the scalp. The incubation period lasts about 7–10 days, after which the embryo hatches into a nymph. Nymphs mature through three molts over an additional 9–12 days before reaching reproductive adulthood. Consequently, a single female can generate roughly 150 eggs over her lifetime, contributing to rapid population growth when unchecked.