ANATOMY OF THE ADULT LOUSE

Rick Speare
School of Public Health and
Tropical Medicine
James Cook University
Townsville, AUSTRALIA Rochelle Anderson
Thuringowa High School
Condon, Towsnville
AUSTRALIA
Heather Winsor
Advanced Analytical Centre
James Cook University
Townsville, AUSTRALIA

Antennae

The morphology of the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, was described many years ago using light microscopy. However, electron microscopy allows us to look in more detail at the anatomy. Since our primary interest is in control of the beast, our studies have focussed on organs that enable the louse to make an honest living on human heads. This poster demonstrates some of the surface features of the head louse as seen using scanning electron microscopy.

Feeding

Respiration

Female genitalia
Adult male head louse
Climbing

Male genitalia

Perhaps if we understood the role of the anatomical structures, we may be able to devise treatments that target key functions. The areas of particular interest are sensory organs, feeding mechanisms, respiration and reproduction.

[ Buxton's The Louse] [ Head Lice Information Sheet] [ Eggs of head lice]
[ Lousy Poster Abstract] [ Dept of Public Health and Tropical Medicine]

Updated 11 September, 1998
Rick Speare