What does a clothing louse look like? - briefly
A clothing louse (Dermestes spp.) is a small, oval beetle about 2–7 mm long, with a dark brown to black, hard exoskeleton and short, bristly hairs covering its body. Its wing covers (elytra) are smooth and often display faint longitudinal ridges.
What does a clothing louse look like? - in detail
The clothing louse, Pediculus humanus corporis, is a tiny, wing‑less insect measuring 2–4 mm in length. Its body is flattened laterally, facilitating movement through fabric seams. The dorsal surface bears a smooth, brown to gray‑brown cuticle that may appear slightly glossy. Six legs emerge from the thorax, each ending in a pair of clawed tarsi adapted for gripping fibers. The legs are relatively long compared to the body, giving the louse a somewhat spindly appearance.
Key morphological features include:
- Head: Small, triangular, with prominent compound eyes and a pair of short antennae bearing five segments. The mouthparts form a piercing‑sucking apparatus (a stylet) used to feed on human blood.
- Thorax: Divided into three segments, each bearing a pair of legs. The dorsal plates (terga) are lightly sclerotized, providing limited protection.
- Abdomen: Elongated, composed of nine visible segments. In females, the posterior abdomen expands to accommodate eggs (nits) and later develops a visible ovipositor. Males have a smaller, more tapered abdomen and a distinct genital capsule.
- Coloration: Generally uniform, ranging from light brown in newly emerged nymphs to darker brown in mature adults. After a blood meal, the abdomen may appear engorged and reddish.
Sexual dimorphism is evident: females are larger, often reaching the upper size range, and possess a broader abdomen. Males are slightly smaller and have more pronounced genital structures at the tip of the abdomen.
The louse’s exoskeleton is thin enough to allow rapid movement through clothing fibers, yet sufficiently rigid to protect internal organs. Its overall silhouette is elongated, with the head and thorax occupying roughly one‑third of the total length and the abdomen comprising the remaining two‑thirds. This shape, combined with the clawed legs and lack of wings, distinguishes the clothing louse from head and pubic lice, which have shorter bodies and different leg configurations.