Scabies Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; adult females are 0.30–0.45 mm long, while males are slightly smaller (0.25–0.35 mm). They are generally not visible to the naked eye.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (upper layer) of human skin, specifically burrowed into the stratum corneum.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on dissolved human tissues but do not feed on blood.
Behavior Patterns
These mites are obligate parasites that burrow into the skin to live and deposit eggs. The burrowing activity is intense and causes severe itching, which often worsens at night. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10-14 days.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: High. They cause Scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Secondary bacterial infections can occur due to scratching. Benefits: None; they are purely parasitic.
Identified on: 2/7/2026