Insects

Pediculus humanus humanus. Adult male louse (unstained, scanning power). This is a ventral view of a "sucking body louse." Eggs and lice can be found on the clothing of the host as well as in body hair; the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitus) and body louse frequently change positions on the surface of the body. Females are usually 3 to 4 mm long and males are slightly smaller. Both sexes are flattened dorsoventrally and typically are a dirty white to gray in color. The body is clearly divided into a head, thorax, and abdomen, and they have three pairs of legs that end in grasping organs. Paired spiracles are prominent at the lateral edges of each abdominal segment. Antennae are short and consist of five segments. Females have a bifurcation at the tip of the abdomen, whereas males do not.