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.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer) of human skin, specifically burrowing into the stratum corneum.
Diet & Feeding
The mites feed on human skin cells and extracellular fluid.
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay 2-3 eggs per day. They are primarily transmitted through prolonged, direct skin-to-skin contact and cause intense itching as an allergic reaction to their presence.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching (pruritus), skin rashes, and potential secondary bacterial infections like impetigo or cellulitis due to scratching. They have no known benefits to the ecosystem.
Identified on: 3/11/2026