False-colour scanning electron micrograph of an egg case, commonly known as a 'nit', from the blood-sucking human body/head louse Pediculus humanus. N

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False-colour scanning electron micrograph of an egg case, commonly known as a 'nit', from the blood-sucking human body/head louse Pediculus humanus. Nits are oval white structures fitted with lids & glued to hair by a cementlike mixture. The lid is perforated to allow air to reach the egg. In this picture the lid has been removed & the young louse has exited, leaving an empty egg case. Adult head lice live in the hair while body lice frequent clothing. Infestations of lice causes pediculosis, an intense itching which may result in bacterial infection. Magnification: X40 at 35mm size. Original BW print.

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Size: 5150px × 3392px
Photo credit: © CATH WADFORTH/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, body, egg, head, humanus, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, louse, nature, nit, pediculosis, pediculus, wildlife, zoology