Scabies Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; adult females are about 0.30–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide, while males are slightly smaller.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer) of human skin, particularly in warm, folded areas like between fingers, wrists, armpits, and the genital area.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on human skin cells and fluids as they burrow through the stratum corneum.
Behavior Patterns
Female mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin to lay eggs, creating microscopic tunnels (burrows). This burrowing activity usually occurs at night. The eggs hatch into larvae, which then travel to the skin surface to mature.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Highly contagious and causes an infestation known as scabies. The primary symptom is intense itching (especially at night) and a pimple-like skin rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections like impetigo. There are no known ecological benefits.
Identified on: 2/17/2026