Head Louse

The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) is an obligate ectoparasite of humans that causes head lice infestation (pediculosis capitis). Head lice are wingless insects spending their entire lives on the human scalp and feeding exclusively on human blood. Humans are the only known hosts of this specific parasite, while chimpanzees host a closely related species, Pediculus schaeffi. Other species of lice infest most orders of mammals and all orders of birds, as well as other parts of the human body. Lice differ from other hematophagic ectoparasites such as fleas in spending their entire lifecycle on a host. Head lice cannot fly, and their short, stumpy legs render them incapable of jumping, or even walking efficiently on flat surfaces.

El piojo de la cabeza (Pediculus humanus capitis) es un ectoparásito obligado de los seres humanos que causa la infestación de piojos (pediculosis capitis). Los piojos son insectos sin alas que pasan sus vidas enteras en el cuero cabelludo y se alimentan exclusivamente de sangre humana. Los seres humanos son los únicos huéspedes conocidos de este parásito específico, mientras que los chimpancés albergan una especie estrechamente relacionada, Pediculus schaeffi. Otras especies de piojos infestan la mayoría de las órdenes de mamíferos y de aves todos los pedidos, así como otras partes del cuerpo humano. Los piojos se diferencian de otros ectoparásitos hematófagos, como las pulgas en el gasto de la totalidad de su ciclo de vida en un host. Los piojos no pueden volar, y sus cortos, piernas rechonchas hacerlos incapaces de saltar, o incluso caminar de manera eficiente en superficies planas.

The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) is an obligate ectoparasite of humans that causes head lice infestation (pediculosis capitis). Head lice are wingless insects spending their entire lives on the human scalp and feeding exclusively on human blood. Humans are the only known hosts of this specific parasite, while chimpanzees host a closely related species, Pediculus schaeffi. Other species of lice infest most orders of mammals and all orders of birds, as well as other parts of the human body. Lice differ from other hematophagic ectoparasites such as fleas in spending their entire lifecycle on a host. Head lice cannot fly, and their short, stumpy legs render them incapable of jumping, or even walking efficiently on flat surfaces.