Scabies Mite (burrow/rash visible)

Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis

Order & Family: Sarcoptiformes; Sarcoptidae

Size: Microscopic; adult females are 0.30–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide; males are about half that size.

Scabies Mite (burrow/rash visible)

Natural Habitat

The epidermis (upper layer) of human skin, where females burrow to lay eggs. They are obligate parasites and cannot survive long away from a host.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on dissolved human tissue and skin cells within the stratum corneum but does not suck blood.

Behavior Patterns

Females tunnel into the stratum corneum of the skin to deposit eggs and feces (scybala). This burrowing activity causes intense itching, especially at night. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10–15 days.

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 or cellulitis. Benefits: None; it is a parasitic pest.

Identified on: 2/22/2026