Picture of Body Lice

Body Lice. The dark mass in the abdomen of this female body louse is ingested blood, showing she has been feeding on her human host. Body lice are parasitic insects that can rely on their human hosts but can also make their home in clothing or bedding. An infestation can spread rapidly under crowded conditions. Lice are resilient. You may notice the tiny hairs on this louse's body which help her detect environmental changes that may affect her survival.
Image Source: SCIENCE SOURCE / Science Source
Text Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Medline Plus / National Library of Medicine
Text Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Medline Plus / National Library of Medicine