''Pediculus humanus'' is a species of louse that infects

human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, cultu ...

s. It comprises two subspecies: *''Pediculus humanus humanus'' Linnaeus, 1758 –

body louse The body louse (''Pediculus humanus humanus'', also known as ''Pediculus humanus corporis'') is a hematophagic ectoparasite louse that infests humans. It is one of three lice which infest humans, the other two being the head louse, and the cr ...

*''Pediculus humanus capitis'' De Geer, 1767 –

head louse The head louse (''Pediculus humanus capitis'') is an obligate ectoparasite of humans. Head lice are wingless insects that spend their entire lives on the human scalp and feeding exclusively on human blood. Humans are the only known hosts of ...

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* Lice Insects described in 1758 Parasitic arthropods of humans Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus {{louse-stub