Community identification
Itch mite
Sarcoptes scabiei
- Order & Family
- Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
- Size
- 0.3 mm to 0.45 mm (visible only as a tiny speck to the naked eye)
Natural Habitat
Human skin (specifically the epidermis stratum corneum layer)
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and fluid, feeding on the host's tissue and secretions
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs; larvae hatch and move to the surface to mature and repeat the cycle.
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, resulting in intense itching, rashes, and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching. No known benefits.