Community identification
Itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis)
Sarcoptes scabiei
- Order & Family
- Order Sarcoptiformes, Family Sarcoptidae
- Size
- 0.30 to 0.45 mm long (females); males are about half that size
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically the stratum corneum (outermost layer)
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on skin cells and extracellular fluid found in the burrow layers
Behavior Patterns
Adult females burrow into the skin to lay eggs. They are microscopic, live for 1-2 months, and are primarily transmitted through direct Skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, characterized by intense itching and red rashes. Highly contagious; no ecological benefits; requires medical treatment to eradicate.