Scabies Mite

Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis

Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae

Size: Microscopic; females are 0.30–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide; males are slightly smaller.

Scabies Mite

Natural Habitat

The epidermis (upper layer) of human skin, particularly in folds and creases like between fingers, wrists, armpits, and groin areas.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on dissolved human tissue, but does not suck blood. They survive on the fluids produced by the skin's reaction to their burrowing.

Behavior Patterns

Female mites burrow into the stratum corneum of the skin to lay eggs (2-3 per day). The characteristic 'burrows' appear as tiny, raised, serpentine lines. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10-15 days. They are most active at night, which correlates with intense itching.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Highly contagious skin infestation causing intense itching (especially at night) and a pimple-like rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo or cellulitis. In severe cases (crusted scabies), they can number in the thousands. Benefits: None known to humans or ecosystems.

Identified on: 3/8/2026