False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the pubic louse, Phthirus pubis, also known as the crab louse, clinging to a human pubic hair. An i

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False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the pubic louse, Phthirus pubis, also known as the crab louse, clinging to a human pubic hair. An infestation of P. pubis causes pediculosis, the symptoms of which are severe itching and a rash. The lice suck blood, feeding 5 times a day. They spread through sexual contact and via bedding or clothing. Each of the louse's 6 legs terminates in a massive claw, which folds inward to meet a thumb-like projection on the opposite side. The louse climbs and swings through its hairy habitat, locking into position when disturbed, for instance by scratching or washing. Magnification: x45 at 6x7cm size, x20 at 35mm size. Rossdale colouring: yellow, green & blue louse with yellow/brown hair.

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Size: 4125px × 3363px
Photo credit: © CATH WADFORTH/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, colouring, crab, fauna, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, louse, nature, phthirus, pubic, pubis, rossdale, sem, wildlife, zoological, zoology