Bug Identifier
Scabies Mite
Community identification

Scabies Mite

Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis

Order & Family
Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size
0.3 to 0.45 mm long (females) and about 0.25 mm long (males).
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Human skin, specifically within the stratum corneum (outer layer) where they burrow.

Diet & Feeding

Feed on dissolved skin cells and extracellular fluid.

Behavior Patterns

The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs, creating serpentine tracks. They are primarily nocturnal, which is when itching is most intense.

Risks & Benefits

Highly contagious parasite that causes intense itching, skin rashes, and potentially secondary bacterial infections. They offer no ecological benefits to humans.