approximately 16 to 18 days. Mature females normally Iive for 3 to 4 weeks, laying
approximately four eggs per day. Crowded conditions, close contact, or sharing hats,
combs, and so forth, can aid in the development of infestations.
Figure 1-12. Body louse and head louse
c. The Crab Louse, Pthirus pubis. The crab louse (see figure 1-13), also
called the pubic louse, is recognized by its crablike appearance. Mainly, it infests the
pubic (groin) region. It also infests the armpits and, more rarely, the parts of the body
such as the eyebrows and moustache. The crab louse is not known to transmit disease
but can have a serious affect on morale. The female louse deposits her eggs on the
coarser hair of the body where the Iice occur. The number of eggs per female is usually
quite small, usually not more than thirty. The incubation period is from 7 to 10 days and
it takes about 15 days for the nymph to reach the adult stage. The total life cycle
requires about 30 days.
Figure 1-13. Crab louse.
MD0170
1-12