Community identification
Human scabies mite
Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
- Order & Family
- Order Sarcoptiformes, Family Sarcoptidae
- Size
- Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30 to 0.45 mm long, while males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer of skin) of humans, where they live and burrow.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on human skin cells and extracellular fluid.
Behavior Patterns
Adult females burrow into the upper layer of the skin to lay eggs. The larvae hatch and travel to the skin surface. They are highly contagious and spread through prolonged, direct skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes scabies, characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Secondary bacterial infections can occur from scratching. Benefits: None to humans or the ecosystem as they are obligate parasites.