Itch Mite (Scabies Mite)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei
Order & Family: Order Sarcoptiformes; Family Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30–0.45 mm long, while males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
Burrows exclusively within the superficial layers of human and mammal skin (the stratum corneum).
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on human skin cells and extracellular fluid found within the burrows it creates.
Behavior Patterns
Life cycle occurs entirely on the host. Females tunnel into skin to lay eggs; the movement and secretions cause intense allergic itching, often worse at night.
Risks & Benefits
Risk: Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by severe itching and rashes. Can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections. Benefit: None to humans or the ecosystem.
Identified on: 1/14/2026