Scabies Mite (Human Itch Mite)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; adult females are typically 0.30 to 0.45 mm long and 0.25 to 0.35 mm wide. Males are slightly smaller.
Natural Habitat
Exclusively parasitic; lives in burrows excavated within the stratum corneum (outermost layer) of the skin in humans and other mammals.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on lymph and dissolved human skin cells/tissue within the epidermis.
Behavior Patterns
Female mites burrow into the skin to lay eggs, creating visible, wavy, grayish lines (burrows). The infestation triggers an allergic reaction to mite proteins and feces, resulting in intense itching, which typically worsens at night.
Risks & Benefits
Risk: Causes Scabies, a highly contagious skin condition characterized by severe itching and a pimple-like rash. Excessive scratching can break the skin, leading to secondary bacterial infections like Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. No ecosystem benefits.
Identified on: 2/4/2026