Human Scabies Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Adult females: 0.30 to 0.45 mm long; males: half that size
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis
Diet & Feeding
Human skin cells and extracellular fluid
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs; larvae hatch and move to the skin surface to mature and mate
Risks & Benefits
Highly contagious parasitic infestation causing intense itching and skin rashes; can lead to secondary skin infections like impetigo
Identified on: 5/21/2026