Community identification
Itch mite
Sarcoptes scabiei
- Order & Family
- Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
- Size
- 0.3 to 0.45 mm for females; males are roughly half that size
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically within the stratum corneum (outermost layer)
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and extracellular fluid
Behavior Patterns
The mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs; larvae emerge and move to the surface to mature and repeat the cycle
Risks & Benefits
Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by severe itching and rashes; secondary infections can occur if the skin is broken by scratching