Community identification
Itch Mite (Scabies Mite)
Sarcoptes scabiei
- Order & Family
- Order Sarcoptiformes; Family Sarcoptidae
- Size
- 0.30 to 0.45 mm (Microscopic, generally not visible to the naked eye).
Natural Habitat
Burrows exclusively within the upper layers of human or animal skin.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on human skin cells and extracellular fluid.
Behavior Patterns
Fertilized females burrow into the stratum corneum to lay eggs, creating tiny, wavy tracks or bumps; life cycle takes 2-3 weeks from egg to adult.
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, an intensely itchy skin infestation that can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo if left untreated.