Scabies Mite (or Human Itch Mite)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; adult females are approximately 0.30–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide, while males are slightly smaller.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis of human skin; they burrow into the upper layer of the skin to live and lay eggs.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on dissolved human tissue and skin cells but do not suck blood.
Behavior Patterns
These mites are obligate parasites. Females burrow into the stratum corneum (outer skin layer) to create tunnels where they deposit eggs and feces. They are most active at night, which correlates with intense nocturnal itching in hosts.
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. Benefits: None known to humans or the ecosystem; they are strictly parasitic.
Identified on: 2/13/2026