Community identification
Itch mite (Scabies mite)
Sarcoptes scabiei
- Order & Family
- Order: Sarcoptidiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
- Size
- 0.3 to 0.45 mm long (adult females), roughly microscopic and invisible to the naked eye.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis of human or animal skin, specifically burrowing into the stratum corneum.
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and extracellular fluid found within the epidermis.
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs, creating zigzagging tracks. They are primarily nocturnal, often causing increased itching at night. The life cycle involves egg, larva, nymph, and adult stages within the skin host.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes scabies, an intense itchy skin infestation that can lead to secondary bacterial infections from scratching. No known benefits to the host or ecosystem.