What do field lice look like? - briefly
Field lice are tiny, wingless insects about 2–3 mm long, with a flattened, oval body that ranges from pale brown to reddish‑orange and bears a smooth, glossy exoskeleton. Their legs end in sharp claws adapted for clinging to plant stems and animal fur.
What do field lice look like? - in detail
Field lice, scientifically known as Pediculus humanus corporis, are small, wingless insects that resemble other human ectoparasites. Adults measure 2–4 mm in length, with a flattened, elongated body adapted for moving through clothing fibers. The dorsal surface is light gray to tan, often appearing dull due to the absence of significant pigmentation. Antennae are short, segmented into five parts, and protrude from the head region. Legs are six, each ending in claw‑like tarsi that grip fabric.
Key morphological characteristics include:
- Head: Small, rounded, bearing compound eyes and mouthparts designed for piercing skin and sucking blood.
- Thorax: Broad, bearing three pairs of legs; each leg bears a pair of claws.
- Abdomen: Segmented, slightly wider than the thorax, with a smooth, hairless cuticle.
- Eggs (nits): Oval, 0.8 mm long, white to creamy, attached firmly to fibers by a cement‑like secretion.
Nymphal stages resemble adults but are progressively smaller and paler. First‑instar nymphs are about 1 mm long, lacking fully developed wings and reproductive organs. Each successive molt increases size and darkens coloration until the adult form is reached after three molts.
In live specimens, the abdomen expands after a blood meal, giving the insect a more rounded appearance. When detached from clothing, field lice can survive for several days without a host, but they require regular blood meals to complete their life cycle.