Scabies Mite (or Itch Mite)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are 0.30–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide; males are slightly smaller.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer) of human skin, specifically burrowing into the stratum corneum.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on dissolved human tissues but does not feed on blood.
Behavior Patterns
Female mites burrow under the skin to lay eggs, creating serpentine tunnels (burrows). The larvae hatch in 3-4 days and move to the skin surface to mature. They are most active at night, which correlates with increased itching.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes scabies, an intense allergic itching reaction and skin rash. Intense scratching can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections (like impetigo). Highly contagious through direct skin-to-skin contact. Benefits: None known to humans or ecosystems.
Identified on: 2/17/2026