What do clothing lice look like in a domestic setting? - briefly
Clothing lice are tiny, flattened insects about 2–4 mm long, with a pale‑gray or off‑white body and six legs that end in sharp claws for gripping fabric fibers. Their antennae are short, and the thorax often shows a slightly wider, oval shape that distinguishes them from other household pests.
What do clothing lice look like in a domestic setting? - in detail
Clothing lice, also known as Pediculus humanus corporis, are small, wing‑less insects that thrive on human clothing and skin. Adults measure 2–4 mm in length, exhibit a flattened, elongated body, and display a gray‑brown coloration that darkens after a blood meal. The head bears a pair of short antennae and six legs, each ending in clawed tarsi that enable firm attachment to fabric fibers. Abdomen segments are clearly defined, and the dorsal surface is covered with fine, short setae.
Nymphal stages (three instars) resemble miniature adults but are proportionally smaller, ranging from 0.6 mm to 2 mm. Their color is lighter, becoming progressively darker with successive molts. Eggs (nits) are oval, 0.8 mm long, and firmly cemented to seams, folds, or stitching of garments. Nits appear white or creamy before hatching and turn gray as the embryo develops.
Typical locations within a household include:
- seams, cuffs, and collars of shirts, jackets, and coats
- undergarments and socks, especially when worn for extended periods
- bedding, particularly in folds of blankets or mattress covers
- upholstery seams and cushion crevices
Movement is slow; lice crawl rather than jump, using their claws to grasp fibers. When disturbed, they may drop onto the host’s skin to feed, leaving small, painless bite marks that can develop into reddened papules. Feeding occurs several times a day, each session lasting a few minutes.
Identification keys:
- Size: 2–4 mm (adult), 0.6–2 mm (nymph)
- Color: gray‑brown, darkening after blood ingestion
- Body shape: flattened, elongated, six clawed legs
- Egg attachment: cemented to fabric seams, oval, white‑to‑gray
These characteristics enable reliable detection of clothing lice in a domestic environment.