Human Itch 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.
Natural Habitat
The upper layer of human skin (epidermis), where it burrows to live and lay eggs.
Diet & Feeding
The mite feeds on human skin cells and extracellular fluid.
Behavior Patterns
Adult females burrow into the stratum corneum to lay 2-3 eggs daily. They are most active at night. The life cycle from egg to adult takes approximately 10-14 days.
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. It poses a risk of secondary bacterial infections (like impetigo) due to scratching. There are no ecological benefits; it is a human parasite.
Identified on: 2/4/2026