What do lice look like up close? - briefly
Up close, a louse is a tiny, wing‑less insect about 2–4 mm long, with a flattened, elongated body that appears gray‑to‑brown. It possesses six short legs ending in claw‑like tarsal claws that grip hair shafts.
What do lice look like up close? - in detail
Lice are tiny, wingless insects measuring 2–4 mm in length. Their bodies consist of three distinct regions: head, thorax, and abdomen, each covered by a hard exoskeleton that appears glossy under magnification. The head bears a pair of short, backward‑curving antennae and six clawed legs adapted for gripping hair shafts. Mouthparts form a piercing‑sucking stylet, visible as a tiny, elongated proboscis protruding from the front of the head.
The thorax supports the legs and bears a pair of tiny, vestigial wings that are reduced to flat plates, giving the insect a flattened profile. The abdomen is segmented, with each segment displaying fine, overlapping plates called tergites. These plates are often mottled in shades of gray, brown, or tan, providing camouflage against the host’s hair and skin.
Key visual characteristics observable at 30–40× magnification include:
- Coloration: translucent to opaque gray‑brown; live specimens may appear slightly lighter due to blood ingestion.
- Surface texture: smooth, slightly reflective cuticle; occasional fine hairs (setae) along the dorsal surface.
- Leg structure: three pairs of legs, each ending in a single claw; claws are curved and sharp, enabling firm attachment to hair fibers.
- Eyes: compound eyes reduced to small, dark spots positioned laterally on the head.
- Respiratory openings: tiny spiracles located laterally on the abdomen, appearing as minute punctures.
When a louse is examined under a stereomicroscope, the combination of a compact, flattened body, clawed legs, and a piercing mouthpart distinguishes it from other ectoparasites such as ticks or fleas, which possess larger bodies, segmented legs, or visible scutum. The detailed morphology confirms the insect’s specialization for a permanent, hair‑bound lifestyle.