Life Cycle of Lice

Head lice are insects that feed off the of the blood of their host. One louse can produce hundreds of eggs during its lifespan. Head lice live for nearly two months and have three stages of life.

Nits

A head lice egg is called a nit. Nits are laid by female lice at the base of the hair shaft. Once laid, nits take five to 10 days to hatch. Eggs, which are about the size of sesame seeds, are yellowish-brown to white in color.

Nymphs

When the nits hatch, they release nymphs. Nymphs look like adult lice, but are smaller in size. Nymphs molt (outgrow their exoskeleton) three times before becoming an adult. The nymph stage lasts up to seven days.

Adults

The adult is the third stage of head lice. Adults can live up to 30 days and feed off the host up to five times a day. Adult females will lay up to a dozen eggs a day.

Hosts Needed

Adults and nymphs can live only two or three days without a host. Nits can survive up to two weeks without a host.

Transmission

Head lice are often transmitted from host to host via objects that come in contact with hair. Head lice can go two or three days without feeding and can live on detached hair strands, clothing, hats, combs, towels and bedding.

References

• Lice Without Hosts
• Para Pro
• Head Lice Information