Itch mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30 to 0.45 mm long, while males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
Burrows exclusively within the epidermal layer of human skin; they cannot survive more than 2-3 days away from a human host.
Diet & Feeding
Feed on skin cells (keratinocytes) and extracellular fluid as they burrow through the stratum corneum.
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs. These eggs hatch into larvae, develop into nymphs, and then adults. The host's allergic reaction to the mites' proteins and feces causes intense itching.
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, a contagious skin infestation characterized by severe itching and a pimple-like rash. If left untreated, scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo or cellulitis. There are no ecological benefits.
Identified on: 5/2/2026