PATTE POU MEB

Patte antérieure droite d'une femelle pou du corps (Pediculus humanus corporis), MEB colorisé (vue dorsale ; x 154, le trait représente 200 microns).
La patte des insectes est constituée de cinq segments : coxa (hanche), trochanter, fémur, tibia et tarse. Chez certains insectes, comme le pou, un sixième segment, terminal est présent : le prétarse (ou arolium), consistant en une griffe. Cette griffe permet au pou de s'accrocher aux vêtements.

Pou de corps (Pediculus humanus corporis) > Pediculus humanus > Pediculidé > Pou > Phthiraptère > Insecte > Arthropode > Animal.

This 2006 scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted a dorsal view of the right flexed foreleg of a female body louse, Pediculus humanus var. corporis, in its entirty. What is visible includes the most distal segment, known as the «pretarsus», followed by the more proximal «tarsus», then the «tibia», «femur», and «trochanter», and finally the most proximal segment, the «coax». In the case of the louse, the leg segments are very stout, and end in claws, which it used to firmly grasp clothing, or a host’s hair shafts. Note how the exoskeletal covering appears to possess an almost fabric-like appearance to the chitinous exoskeleton, which acts to add flexibility at the coxa-trochanteric joint.
What are body lice?
Body lice are parasitic insects that live on the body and in the clothing or bedding of infested humans. Infestation is common, found worldwide, and affects people of all races. Body lice infestations spread rapidly under crowded conditions where hygiene is poor and there is frequent contact among people. Are body lice infestations common in the United States? Body lice are found only in homeless, transient populations who don't have access to changes of clothes or bath. Infestation is unlikely to persist on anyone who bathes regularly and who regularly has access to freshly laundered clothing and bedding.