Itch Mite or Scabies Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30–0.45 mm long, males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically within the stratum corneum (outer layer) where they burrow.
Diet & Feeding
The mites feed on skin cells and extracellular fluid.
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs. This creates tiny, raised, wavy lines (tunnels). They are most active at night, which often leads to increased itching.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, allergic reactions to mite waste, and secondary skin infections from scratching. They are highly contagious through skin-to-skin contact. There are no known benefits to humans or the ecosystem.
Identified on: 1/3/2026