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How do head lice and body lice differ in where they live?
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louse
Human head louse (Pediculus humanus).
Head lice and body lice, while both subspecies of the human louse, occupy different niches on the human host:
- Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) live directly on the host's body, specifically attaching themselves to the hair or scalp using claws on their legs.1
- Body lice (Pediculus humanus humanus) live primarily in the seams of clothing. While they are not dependent on clothing for survival, the female typically lays her eggs within underclothes.1
Both types are transferred between hosts through direct contact.1