Head louse. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head and thorax of a human head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) clinging to a strand

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Head louse. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head and thorax of a human head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) clinging to a strand of human hair. It ranges in size from 2 to 3 millimetres in length. Each of its six legs end in a claw (as seen at lower left). These claws are used to grasp the shaft of a hair, and as such render the louse unable to jump. An infestation causes itching due to an allergic reaction to louse saliva, and if not treated can lead to fever and secondary infections. Magnification: x20 at 6x7cm size.

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Size: 4724px × 4018px
Photo credit: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, antenna, antennae, bottom, capitis, causing, claw, claws, coloured, cut, cut-, cut-outs, cutout, cutouts, disease, hair, head, human, humanus, infection, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, leg, legs, lice, louse, nature, nit, nits, outs, parasite, parasitic, pediculus, sem, strand, thorax, underside, wildlife, zoology