Human Itch Mite / Scabies Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30–0.45 mm long, males are half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer) of human skin, particularly in folds, webbing between fingers, and wrists.
Diet & Feeding
The mites feed on skin cells and extracellular fluid (serum) by burrowing into the skin.
Behavior Patterns
Pregnant females burrow into the upper layer of the skin to lay eggs. They move mostly at night and can live for 1-2 months on a human host. Outside the host, they can only survive for 2-3 days.
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. It is a significant public health risk as it spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact. There are no ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 3/26/2026