Pubic louse. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of a pubic louse (Phthirus pubis) also known as the crab louse, clinging to a human hair. An

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Pubic louse. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of a pubic louse (Phthirus pubis) also known as the crab louse, clinging to a human hair. An infestation of pubic lice causes pediculosis, the symptoms of which are severe itching and a rash. The lice suck blood, feeding five times a day. They spread through sexual contact and through bedding and clothing. Each of the louse's six 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: x50 when printed 10 centimetres wide.

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Size: 4886px × 3581px
Photo credit: © CLOUDS HILL IMAGING LTD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, biological, biology, colored, coloured, crab, disease, ectoparasite, electron, entomological, entomology, false, false-colored, false-colour, false-coloured, fauna, hair, healthcare, human, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, lice, louse, medical, medicine, micrograph, microscope, nature, obligate, parasite, phthirus, pubic, pubis, scanning, sem, sexually, transmitted, wildlife, zoological, zoology