Community identification
Itch mite (Scabies mite)
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
Found exclusively on human skin, specifically burrowing into the stratum corneum (outer layer) of the epidermis.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on dissolved skin cells and extracellular fluid using proteolytic enzymes.
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay 2-3 eggs per day. They are most active at night. Transmission occurs through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, skin rash (scabies), and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching. There are no ecological benefits as they are obligate parasites.