What do lice on hair look like in photos? - briefly
In photographs, head lice appear as tiny, tan‑brown, oval insects about 2–3 mm long clinging to hair shafts near the scalp, while their eggs (nits) show as white, cemented oval shells attached close to the hair roots.
What do lice on hair look like in photos? - in detail
Photographs of head‑lice infestations show small, wingless insects clinging to strands of hair. The insects measure 2–4 mm in length, roughly the size of a sesame seed, and have a flattened, oval body. Their color ranges from gray‑white to brown, often appearing translucent against dark hair and slightly darker against light hair. The abdomen is segmented, giving a slightly speckled texture that can be seen under magnification.
Key visual characteristics:
- Body shape: elongated, cigar‑like, with a narrow head and broader posterior end.
- Legs: six short legs ending in claw‑like tarsi that grasp hair shafts; the claws are visible as tiny, dark points near the body’s sides.
- Eyes: two dark, compound eyes on the head, sometimes discernible as tiny black dots.
- Movement: in high‑resolution images, lice may be captured mid‑crawl, showing a characteristic “spider‑like” gait.
Photographic evidence also distinguishes live lice from their eggs (nits). Nits are oval, 0.8 mm long, firmly attached to the hair shaft at a 45‑degree angle, and appear as white or yellowish specks. Unlike nits, live lice are three‑dimensional, with visible legs and a body that reflects light differently, creating a slightly glossy appearance.
When examining images, look for:
- Contrast with hair – lice stand out as darker silhouettes on lighter hair or as lighter bodies on dark hair.
- Attachment points – claws gripping the hair shaft near the scalp, often close to the root.
- Body segmentation – faint lines dividing the abdomen, visible under macro lenses.
- Movement blur – in video stills, a faint streak may indicate crawling activity.
Accurate identification relies on high‑resolution macro photography or close‑up video frames that capture these details.