Scabies Mite (or the burrow of one)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; adult females are oval, sac-like, and typically 0.30–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide. Males are slightly smaller.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer) of human skin. They are obligate parasites and cannot survive for long away from a human host.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on human skin cells and lymph fluid found within the epidermis.
Behavior Patterns
Female mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin to lay eggs, creating serpentine, slightly raised lines (burrows). The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10-15 days. They are most active at night, which correlates with increased itching.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Infestations cause 'scabies,' characterized by intense itching (especially at night) and a pimple-like rash. Secondary bacterial infections (like impetigo) can occur from scratching. Benefits: None; they are purely parasitic.
Identified on: 2/18/2026