What do lice look like on a comb, on hair, and on a leaf? - briefly
Lice appear as tiny, elongated, grayish‑brown insects about 2–4 mm long; on a comb they are visible as small, flattened bodies clinging to the teeth or trapped between them, while on hair they cling to shafts near the scalp, often near the base of strands. On a leaf they resemble miniature, translucent nymphs or adults, blending with the surface and showing a flattened, oval shape with six legs.
What do lice look like on a comb, on hair, and on a leaf? - in detail
Lice observed on a comb appear as tiny, flattened insects measuring 2–4 mm in length. Their bodies are oval, with a broad thorax and a tapered abdomen. The coloration ranges from light gray to brown, often matching the color of the comb’s plastic or metal surface. Legs are short, six‑spotted, and end in tiny claws that cling tightly to the comb teeth. The head bears a pair of antennae and compound eyes, both visible under magnification. Eggs (nits) are attached at an angle of about 45°, cemented to the comb’s ridges; they are oval, creamy‑white, and slightly larger than the adult body.
On human hair, lice are similarly sized but less conspicuous due to the hair’s texture. The insect’s dorsal surface is smooth, with a brownish‑gray hue that blends with hair shafts. The ventral side shows three pairs of legs, each equipped with clawed tarsi that grasp individual strands. The head bears a set of short antennae and a pair of small, dark eyes. Nits are firmly glued to the hair shaft, positioned within 1 cm of the scalp, and appear as tiny, elongated, translucent ovals. Under close inspection, the nit’s operculum (cap) can be seen at one end, and the shell is slightly convex.
When lice are found on a leaf, they retain the same morphology but adapt to the plant surface. The body remains oval and flattened, with a brown to mottled green coloration that provides camouflage among leaf veins. Legs are longer relative to those on a comb, ending in sharper claws that embed into the leaf’s epidermis. The head and antennae are clearly visible, and the abdomen may show a faint, segmented pattern. Eggs attached to a leaf are positioned at an angle, their shells semi‑transparent and often slightly darker than those on hair, reflecting the leaf’s chlorophyll. The cement used for attachment is less robust than on hair, allowing easier removal with gentle brushing.