The nit hatches into a baby louse called a nymph. It looks like an adult pubic louse, but is smaller. Nymphs mature into adults about 7 days after hatching. To live, the nymph must feed on blood. The adult pubic louse is about this size and resembles a miniature crab when viewed through a strong magnifying glass.
Pubic lice are tan to greyish-white in color.
To live, adult lice need to feed on blood. If the louse falls off a person, it dies within 1-2 days. By looking closely through pubic hair for nits, nymphs, or adults. If crawling lice are not seen, finding nits confirms that a person is infested and should be treated. Diagnosis should be made by a health care provider if you are unsure about infestation or if treatment is not successful.