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, males are half that size
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically within the stratum corneum (outermost layer)
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and extracellular fluid found within the burrows they create in the skin
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs; larvae hatch and move to the surface to mature and mate, usually at night
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. It presents a risk of secondary bacterial skin infections like impetigo due to scratching. There are no ecological benefits to humans.