Scabies Mite (also known as the Itch Mite)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; adult females are approximately 0.30–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide. They appear as tiny, pearl-white specks barely visible to the naked eye.
Natural Habitat
The primary habitat is the epidermis (upper layer) of human skin. They are obligate parasites and cannot survive for long periods (usually less than 3-4 days) away from a host.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on human skin cells and tissue fluid found within the epidermis.
Behavior Patterns
Female mites burrow into the skin to create tunnels where they lay eggs and deposit waste. These burrows are sometimes visible as tiny, raised, serpentine lines. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10-14 days.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Infestation causes Scabies, a condition characterized by intense, allergic itching (often worse at night) and a pimple-like skin rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo or eczema. They offer no environmental benefits.
Identified on: 2/15/2026