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Pubic Lice, or Crab Lice
- Tiny, biting insects that resemble crabs -
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Summary: Pubic lice, sometimes called "crabs" or crab lice, are tiny, blood-sucking insects that cause intensely itchy lesions when they bite. Pubic lice attach their eggs to the coarse hairs of the groin, armpits and sometimes eyebrows.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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What are crab or pubic lice (Pthirus pubis)?
 Pubic (crab) lice are tiny (1-2 mm) blood sucking insects. The common name pubic louse ("louse" is the singular form of the word "lice") comes from where they are typically found -- in the pubic area of infested individuals but they may also be found in armpit, chest and eyelash hair.
The other common name crab louse describes their overall shape and the two pairs of enlarged claws, features which resemble real crabs (see photo right). These modified claws are better adapted to grasp coarse hairs and this is one reason why pubic lice occur where they do. This tiny insect has been a highly specialized "companion" of humans, and some of our primate cousins such as gorillas and chimpanzees, since before recorded history.
other common name: crabs, genital crabs; misspelling: public lice
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Crab, or pubic, louse soon after feeding (highly magnified). The red coloration is blood.
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Pubic lice bite to get blood. The bite leaves an intensely itchy lesion but, unlike some other blood-feeding insects (see below), pubic lice do not transmit diseases. Scratching to relieve the intense itch can result in secondary infections, however. Pubic lice are found worldwide and are frequently spread through sexual contact.
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Crab lice eggs, or nits, on hairs
Eggs, or nits, of all human lice (head lice, body lice and crab lice) are about 1 mm long and are either glued onto individual hairs, as in head and crab lice, or laid on clothing, as in body lice. Nits need body heat in order to hatch which generally takes seven to ten days. Lice molt through several immature stages before becoming adults.
How to treat pubic lice
Pubic lice, like head lice, do not live for long off their host so treatment of the livingspace, and laundering of clothing, should not be your first objective. Instead, treat pubic lice as you would head lice (see How To Treat Lice) with medicated lice shampoo and nit combing. Sexual partners of the infested person should be informed and possibly treated as well.
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Other blood-feeding insect and mites
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
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