What do pubic lice look like? - briefly
Pubic lice are tiny, about 1–2 mm long, with a flattened, crab‑like body that appears grayish‑white or translucent; each adult has six legs, the front pair bearing sharp claws for grasping coarse hair. Their bodies are covered in fine, mottled scales that give a slightly rough texture.
What do pubic lice look like? - in detail
Pubic lice, also known as Pthirus pubis, are tiny ectoparasites that infest the coarse hair of the genital region, as well as the perianal area, chest, abdomen, and occasionally the eyebrows or eyelashes. Adult specimens measure approximately 1.5–2 mm in length, roughly the size of a sesame seed. Their bodies are dorsoventrally flattened, enabling easy movement through hair shafts.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Color: ranging from gray‑white to light brown; after feeding, the abdomen may appear darker due to ingested blood.
- Body shape: compact, oval‑shaped thorax and abdomen with a distinct, slightly broader posterior end.
- Head: short, rounded, equipped with clawed mandibles for piercing skin.
- Legs: six legs, each ending in a pair of sharp claws; the anterior two pairs are longer, facilitating grasp on hair, while the posterior pair is shorter and used for locomotion.
- Eyes: rudimentary, appearing as small dark spots on the sides of the head.
- Eggs (nits): oval, about 0.8 mm long, firmly attached to hair shafts near the base; they are translucent initially and turn darker as embryos develop.
Eggs hatch within 7–10 days, releasing nymphs that resemble miniature adults but lack fully developed genitalia. Nymphal stages last another 5–7 days before reaching maturity. The combination of size, flattened body, clawed legs, and characteristic coloration distinguishes these parasites from other lice species that infest scalp hair.