Where are lice born? - briefly
Lice emerge from eggs (nits) that adult females attach to hair strands, usually on the scalp. The eggs hatch within several days when temperature and humidity are favorable.
Where are lice born? - in detail
Lice originate from the eggs, or nits, that adult females deposit on a host’s hair shafts or feathers. The female embeds each egg at a 45‑degree angle, cementing it to the surface with a proteinaceous glue that hardens within minutes. This attachment site protects the egg from displacement and provides a stable micro‑environment for development.
The developmental stages occur entirely on the host:
- Egg stage – lasts 7–10 days at typical body‑temperature conditions. The embryo consumes the yolk within the egg and undergoes morphological changes, but it remains immobile.
- Nymph stage – hatches as a small, wingless immature insect. It feeds on the host’s blood and molts three times over a period of 9–12 days, each molt increasing its size.
- Adult stage – emerges after the final molt, capable of reproduction within 24–48 hours. Adults remain on the host for their entire lifespan, which averages 30 days for head lice and up to 60 days for body lice.
Because the entire life cycle is confined to the host, the “birthplace” of lice is the surface of the host’s integument where the egg is affixed. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and the presence of suitable hair or feather density influence egg viability, but the actual site of oviposition remains the living organism that provides nourishment and protection.