
Community identification
Face Mite / Demodex Mite (Likely associate; image shows a human forehead and eyebrow area without a clear visible macro insect)
Demodex folliculorum / Demodex brevis
- Order & Family
- Trombidiformes, Demodicidae
- Size
- 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm (microscopic)
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically inside hair follicles and sebaceous (oil) glands, most commonly on the face, eyelashes, and forehead.
Diet & Feeding
Consumes skin oils (sebum), dead skin cells, and cellular debris.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal microscopic mites that inhabit human skin; they emerge from hair follicles at night to mate before returning to lay eggs.
Risks & Benefits
Usually harmless commensal organisms present on most adult humans. In high populations, they can contribute to skin or eye conditions like rosacea, blepharitis, or eyelash irritation.