Scabies Mite (or possibly a burrow/track)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are 0.3–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide; males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer) of human skin
Diet & Feeding
Tissue fluid and skin cells within the human epidermis
Behavior Patterns
These mites are obligate parasites that burrow into the upper layer of the skin to live and lay eggs. The burrowing activity causes intense itching, especially at night. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10-15 days.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo. Benefits: None known to humans or ecosystems; they are purely parasitic.
Identified on: 2/7/2026