What do dry lice look like? - briefly
«Dry lice» are tiny, flattened insects measuring 2–4 mm, with a gray‑brown, semi‑translucent exoskeleton and six short legs that often appear curled or collapsed. After dehydration, the cuticle becomes brittle and the body looks shrunken and lighter in color.
What do dry lice look like? - in detail
Dry, desiccated lice present a distinct visual profile that differs markedly from their living counterparts. The exoskeleton becomes rigid and loses its natural sheen, giving the body a matte, almost chalky surface. Coloration shifts from the typical gray‑brown hue to a lighter, sometimes whitish tone due to loss of internal fluids. The antennae, legs, and mouthparts remain visible but appear shrunken and brittle, often curling inward.
Key characteristics:
- Size remains comparable to live specimens, roughly 2–3 mm in length, though the body may appear slightly flattened.
- The dorsal thorax and abdomen lose their flexible curvature, resulting in a more angular silhouette.
- Segmentation is still evident; each abdominal segment can be distinguished as faint ridges.
- Eyes, normally small dark spots, become translucent or disappear entirely.
- Claws on the tarsal segments become dull and may fracture, leaving ragged edges.
When examined under magnification, the cuticle reveals fine, raised striations that were previously covered by moisture. The lack of movement confirms the specimen’s dead state, and the overall texture feels dry and fragile to the touch.