Itch mite

Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei

Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae

Size: 0.3 to 0.45 mm in length (microscopic)

Itch mite

Natural Habitat

Burrows into the stratum corneum (upper layer) of the human epidermis.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on human skin cells and extracellular fluid.

Behavior Patterns

Female mites burrow under the skin to lay eggs. Larvae hatch and move to the surface to mature and mate before re-infesting the skin. They are obligate parasites.

Risks & Benefits

Causes Scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Secondary bacterial infections can occur from scratching.

Identified on: 5/2/2026