Scabies Mite (also known as Sarcoptes scabiei)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are 0.3–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide; males are roughly half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (upper layer) of human skin, specifically burrowing into the stratum corneum.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on dissolved human tissues but survive primarily by burrowing into the skin to lay eggs.
Behavior Patterns
Female mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin, creating tunnel-like tracks (burrows) where they live and deposit eggs. The larvae hatch in 3-4 days and move to the skin surface to mature. The infestation causes intense itching, especially at night.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo. Benefits: None known; it is an obligatory parasite.
Identified on: 2/24/2026