Scabies Mite
Scientific Name: 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).
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.
Identified on: 6/23/2026