Itch mite (Scabies mite)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30–0.45 mm long, males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically within the stratum corneum (outermost layer of the epidermis).
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on dissolved skin tissue and extracellular fluid of the human host.
Behavior Patterns
Pregnant females burrow into the skin to deposit eggs. The larvae hatch and travel to the surface to mature and mate, after which the cycle repeats. They are typically transmitted through prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Risk: Causes Scabies, an intensely itchy skin infestation. Can lead to secondary bacterial infections from scratching. No benefits; it is an obligate parasite of humans.
Identified on: 2/20/2026