Scabies Mite (also known as the Itch Mite)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are 0.3-0.45 mm long, males are significantly smaller.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer) of human skin, specifically burrowed into the stratum corneum.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on dissolved human tissue, rather than blood, while burrowing through the skin layers.
Behavior Patterns
These mites burrow tunnel-like structures into the upper layer of the skin to live and deposit eggs. The female lays 2-3 eggs per day as she extends the burrow. They are active primarily within the skin but can survive for short periods (2-3 days) off a host in clothing or bedding.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching (especially at night) and a pimple-like rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo or staph. Benefits: None to humans or ecosystems; they are obligate parasites.
Identified on: 2/22/2026