Anoplura

In humans

Anoplura contains three species of lice that parasitize humans. Anoplura body lice (Pediculus humanus humanus) typically carry the potential of causing skin irritation, and are vectors of multiple blood-born diseases. Common symptoms of Anoplura body lice include relapsing fever, trench fever and epidemic typhus. Due to increased societal standards for hygiene, body lice in general is significantly less prevalent in developed regions. During the American Civil War, body lice were colloquially known as "seam squirrels" due to their tendency to lay eggs within the seams of soldier's clothes. Anoplura head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) is significantly more common than pubic or body lice, with studies reporting an infestation rate between 3.6% and 61.4% from countries in North and South America. Cases of head lice are most common in children between the ages of 3 and 11. Pthirus pubis (also known as pubic lice or crabs) is a species of sucking lice that affects the genitals of humans, and is the cause of Pediculosis pubis. Pubic lice are often mistaken as sexually transmitted infections due to frequently being contracted through sexual contact; however, they are only considered parasites as they can be spread through non-sexual methods such as sharing blankets or towels.