Human Itch Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30–0.45 mm long, while males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer of skin) of human hosts; specifically prefers areas with thin skin like between fingers, wrists, elbows, and armpits.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on skin cells and extracellular fluid of the human host.
Behavior Patterns
Adult females burrow into the upper layer of the skin where they live and lay eggs. They move at a rate of 2–3 cm per minute, and symptoms (scabies) are an allergic reaction to the mites' proteins and feces.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching (often worse at night), skin rashes, and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching. It is highly contagious through direct skin-to-skin contact. There are no known benefits to humans or the ecosystem.
Identified on: 5/18/2026