What do louse bodies look like? - briefly
Lice are tiny, wingless insects about 2–4 mm long, with a laterally flattened, elongated body covered in fine, hair‑like setae that give a gray‑brown appearance. Their three‑segmented antennae, six legs ending in clawed tarsi, and a head slightly wider than the thorax complete the characteristic morphology.
What do louse bodies look like? - in detail
Lice are small, wingless insects measuring 2–4 mm in length. Their bodies consist of three distinct regions: head, thorax, and abdomen, each covered by a hardened exoskeleton called a cuticle.
The head bears a pair of compound eyes, one or two ocelli, and short, sensory antennae composed of three segments. Mouthparts are of the chewing type, adapted for biting and feeding on blood; the mandibles are robust, while the maxillae form a piercing apparatus.
The thorax contains three segments, each supporting a pair of legs. Legs end in sharp claws that grip hair shafts. Some species possess a small, vestigial wing pad, but no functional wings are present.
The abdomen comprises seven visible segments, often fused into a compact form. Dorsal plates (tergites) are smooth and may exhibit fine punctuations. Ventral plates (sternites) are similarly structured. In many species, the abdomen displays a pale to brown coloration, sometimes with darker stripes or spots.
Sexual dimorphism is subtle. Males may have slightly larger antennae and more pronounced genitalia at the posterior end, while females often possess a larger abdomen to accommodate eggs.
Key morphological features summarized:
- Size: 2–4 mm, elongated oval shape
- Head: compound eyes, 3‑segmented antennae, chewing mouthparts
- Legs: three pairs, each with claws for grasping hair
- Thorax: three segments, no wings
- Abdomen: seven fused segments, smooth tergites and sternites
- Color: ranging from pale yellow to brown, occasionally patterned
- Sexual differences: minor variations in antennae length and abdominal size
The cuticle provides protection against desiccation and mechanical damage, while the articulated exoskeleton allows flexibility during movement through host hair.