Human Itch Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: 0.3–0.45 mm (females), 0.2–0.24 mm (males); barely visible to the naked eye.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (human skin) of hosts, commonly in folds of the skin like webbing between fingers, wrists, armpits, and undergarment lines.
Diet & Feeding
The mite feeds on human skin cells and extracellular fluid found in the epidermal layers.
Behavior Patterns
Pregnant females burrow into the upper layer of the skin to lay eggs. They move at a rate of 2.5 cm per minute and are most active and itchy at night when the host's skin is warm.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and pimple-like rashes. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo or sepsis. Benefits: None to humans or the ecosystem.
Identified on: 3/11/2026