Human Scabies Mite

Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis

Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae

Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30 to 0.45 mm long, while males are about half that size.

Human Scabies Mite

Natural Habitat

The upper layer of human skin (epidermis); specifically the stratum corneum where they burrow.

Diet & Feeding

The mites feed on skin cells and extracellular fluids found within the burrows they create in the human epidermis.

Behavior Patterns

Adult females burrow into the skin to lay 2-3 eggs daily. Mites are most active at night. The life cycle from egg to adult takes approximately 10-15 days.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching (scabies), secondary skin infections from scratching (like impetigo), and the potential for outbreaks in crowded environments. There are no known benefits.

Identified on: 4/17/2026