Community identification
Human Itch Mite
Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
- Order & Family
- Sarcoptoptiformes, Sarcoptidae
- Size
- Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30 to 0.45 mm long, while males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis of human skin; they live and reproduce within burrows they create in the stratum corneum.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on dissolved skin cells and extracellular fluid by secreting enzymes that break down human skin tissue.
Behavior Patterns
The mite is an obligate parasite. Female mites burrow into the skin to lay eggs. They are most active at night, which is when the intense itching typically worsens. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10-14 days.
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, a contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Risks include secondary bacterial infections from scratching. They provide no known benefits to the ecosystem or humans.