Itch mite

Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei

Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae

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

Itch mite

Natural Habitat

The epidermis (outer layer) of human skin, specifically tunnels burrowed within it.

Diet & Feeding

The mites feed on skin cells and extracellular fluid of the host.

Behavior Patterns

The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs, which hatch in 3-4 days. The mites are more active at night and the burrows often appear as thin, wavy, skin-colored lines.

Risks & Benefits

Causes Scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and rashes. Risks include secondary bacterial infections from scratching. There are no ecological benefits known to humans.

Identified on: 4/17/2026