What does a large louse look like? - briefly
«A large louse is a wingless, flattened insect about 5–10 mm long, with a broad, oval body, brownish‑gray coloration, and six clawed legs adapted for gripping hair or feathers.»
What does a large louse look like? - in detail
A large louse presents a robust, dorsoventrally flattened body measuring up to 6 mm in length, considerably larger than typical head‑lice specimens. The exoskeleton is sclerotized, exhibiting a glossy, brown‑to‑dark brown coloration that may display subtle iridescence under direct light.
The head is proportionally broad, bearing a pair of well‑developed compound eyes positioned laterally on the lateral margins of the cephalothorax. Antennae consist of five slender segments, the distal segments bearing sensory setae for detecting host cues. Mandibles are robust, adapted for piercing and sucking blood from the host’s epidermis.
Thoracic segments support three pairs of legs, each leg ending in a claw‑like pretarsus equipped with a single hook, enabling firm attachment to host hair or clothing fibers. Leg length is proportionally short relative to body size, facilitating rapid locomotion across the host’s surface.
The abdomen comprises several visible tergites, each bearing fine setae that aid in sensory perception and may assist in thermoregulation. Spiracles are located laterally on the posterior abdominal segments, allowing gas exchange while the insect remains attached to the host.
Key morphological characteristics can be summarized:
- Length: up to 6 mm (≈ 0.24 in)
- Color: brown to dark brown, glossy
- Head: broad, lateral compound eyes, five‑segmented antennae, strong mandibles
- Legs: three pairs, short, ending in hooked pretarsus
- Abdomen: segmented with fine setae, lateral spiracles
- Exoskeleton: heavily sclerotized, providing protection and rigidity
These traits distinguish a sizable louse from smaller counterparts, reflecting adaptations for sustained feeding on larger hosts and enhanced mobility across dense hair or fabric environments.