Phthirus Pubis Essay

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Phthirus pubis: (AKA: Pubic Lice or Crabs) Lice of the genital area have been around for more than ten thousand years. These little creatures live off of human blood. Their one purpose, of course, is to multiply to better their odds of survival. However, even though they are not known to create much harm to their host, they can be irritating to the areas they inhibit. The objective of this research paper is to seek out the morphology of Phthirus pubis; their history; their cause and effect on humans, and the treatments man has created to rid these parasites from infestation. Century’s have come and gone and these pests continue to run rampant in our lives. Enjoy as you look into the world of these little creatures and maybe, just maybe, we can find away to eliminate them from our lives for good. Phthirus pubis, more commonly known as pubic lice, can be found in every country in the world and in every climate. No matter what race, ethnicity, skin type, hair color, height or weight; all humans are susceptible to these blood drinkers. Belonging to the domain Eukarya, the Kingdom Animalia, and the phylum Arthropoda, pubic lice are also grouped in the class Insecta along with many other six legged creatures. Their order is Anoplura and their family is Pediculidae which are known as sucking lice. Anoplura are an order of wingless insects that have three pairs of legs with each ending in a claw made for grabbing. The shape and size of their claws adapt to the shape and texture of the hairs or fibers that they are attached to. Covered in tough armor, their bodies are flat. Phthirus pubis has small inner mouthparts that have six hooks that help in their attachment to human epidermis during their feeding process. They survive solely off of blood and will die within twenty-four hours without human plasma. Their ‘teeth’ draw back into their head while they are

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