What are lice called?

Question

admin · Accepted Answer

What are lice called? - briefly
Lice are insects commonly referred to as pediculids, belonging to the order Phthiraptera.

What are lice called? - in detail
Lice are commonly referred to as “lice,” but scientific classification distinguishes several groups. The insects belong to the order Phthiraptera, which is divided into two suborders:

Anoplura – the sucking lice that feed on blood. Species include:

Pediculus humanus capitis – head louse, infests scalp hair.
Pediculus humanus corporis – body louse, lives in clothing and moves to the skin to feed.

Mallophaga – the chewing lice that consume skin debris and secretions. Representative species are:

Pthirus pubis – pubic louse, also called “crab louse” because of its broad, crab‑like shape.
Various avian and mammalian chewing lice, each adapted to a specific host.

The generic name “lice” derives from Old English līċe, related to the Germanic root lik‑ meaning “to lick” or “to feed.” In medical literature, the term “pediculosis” denotes an infestation by any member of Phthiraptera, while “pediculid” refers specifically to the family Pediculidae, which contains the human‑specific sucking lice.
In summary, the common name “lice” covers several taxonomic groups: sucking lice (Anoplura) such as head and body lice, and chewing lice (Mallophaga) including the pubic or crab louse, all classified within the order Phthiraptera.