Scabies Mite

Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei

Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Sarcoptidae

Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30–0.45 mm long, males are smaller

Scabies Mite

Natural Habitat

Human skin; specifically the epidermis (outermost layer)

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on human skin cells and extracellular fluid after burrowing into the stratum corneum

Behavior Patterns

The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs. This constant burrowing and the deposition of eggs and waste cause an intense allergic reaction and itching, especially at night.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by severe itching and rashes. If left untreated, it can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections like impetigo or cellulitis. There are no ecological benefits known for humans.

Identified on: 4/15/2026