Scabies Mite (burrow entrance)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order Sarcoptiformes, Family Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; adult females are 0.30–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide, essentially invisible to the naked eye, though burrow tracks may be visible.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (upper layer) of human skin, particularly in folds and creases like between fingers, wrists, elbows, and armpits.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on human skin cells and fluids as they burrow through the stratum corneum.
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin to lay eggs, creating serpentine tunnels (burrows). The larvae hatch in 3-4 days and move to the skin surface to mature. They are most active at night, which is when itching is most intense.
Risks & Benefits
RISKS: Causes Scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo. BENEFITS: None; it is an obligate parasite.
Identified on: 2/9/2026