Itch Mite or Scabies Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: 0.3 to 0.45 mm long for females; males are roughly half that size.
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically within the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the epidermis).
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and extracellular fluid from the human host.
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs, creating tiny, wavy tunnels. They are most active at night, which is when intense itching typically occurs. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10-14 days.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense allergic-like itching, skin rashes, and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching. They are highly contagious and spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact. There are no ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 5/16/2026