Scabies Mite

Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis

Order & Family: Sarcoptiformes / Sarcoptidae

Size: Microscopic; adult females are approx. 0.3mm–0.45mm long, while males are smaller.

Scabies Mite

Natural Habitat

The epidermis (top layer) of human skin, specifically burrowing within the stratum corneum.

Diet & Feeding

They feed on dissolved human tissues but do not suck blood

Behavior Patterns

Female mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin to lay eggs, creating faint, raised lines (burrows). The larvae hatch in 3-4 days and move to the skin surface to mature.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Highly contagious and causes intense itching (especially at night) and a pimple-like rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo. There are no ecological benefits as it is an obligate parasite.

Identified on: 2/7/2026