What do clothing lice eggs look? - briefly
The eggs are tiny, oval‑shaped nits about 0.5 mm long, typically white or pale yellow and firmly glued to fabric fibers. They appear as solid, immobile specks that remain fixed until the larva hatches.
What do clothing lice eggs look? - in detail
Clothing‑lice eggs, also called body‑louse ova, are tiny, oval structures measuring approximately 0.8 mm in length and 0.3 mm in width. Their shells are translucent to pale yellow when freshly laid, gradually turning darker brown as the embryo develops. The surface appears smooth but is covered by a thin, waxy coating that helps the egg adhere to fabric fibers.
Key visual features:
- Shape: Elongated oval, slightly tapered at both ends.
- Color progression: Freshly deposited – almost clear; 3‑4 days old – light yellow; near hatching – brownish.
- Attachment: Cement‑like secretion anchors the egg to the seam or fold of clothing, especially in the waistband, underarm seams, and cuffs. The cement remains visible as a faint, white line extending from the egg to the fabric.
- Orientation: Eggs are typically positioned with the operculum (cap) facing outward, facilitating emergence of the nymph.
Unlike head‑lice nits, which cling directly to hair shafts, clothing‑lice eggs are found exclusively on textile material. They are not embedded in the fiber but sit on the surface, making them removable by washing at temperatures of 130 °F (54 °C) or by using a fine‑toothed comb designed for fabric.
The embryonic development follows a predictable timeline: incubation lasts 6‑9 days under optimal humidity (70‑80 %). During this period the egg’s interior becomes more opaque, and the operculum shows a tiny opening just before hatching. After emergence, the nymph drops onto the wearer’s skin and begins feeding within hours.
Recognition of these characteristics enables accurate identification and effective control measures.