Human Itch Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are 0.30–0.45 mm long, males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (human skin), specifically within the stratum corneum.
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and extracellular fluid found in the layers of the skin.
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs. They are highly contagious and primarily transmitted through prolonged, direct skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, a highly itchy skin infestation. Risks include secondary bacterial infections (like impetigo) from scratching. No ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 7/1/2026