Itch mite (Scabies mite)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptidiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: 0.3 to 0.45 mm for females; males are roughly half that size
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically beneath the surface of the stratum corneum
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and fluid produced by the body in response to the mite's presence
Behavior Patterns
Females burrow into the skin to lay eggs; they are most active at night, which is when itching typically worsens
Risks & Benefits
Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and red rashes. Secondary infections (like impetigo) can occur from scratching.
Identified on: 2/4/2026