Bug Identifier
Itch mites (specifically Scabies mite)
Community identification

Itch mites (specifically Scabies mite)

Sarcoptes scabiei

Order & Family
Order Sarcoptiformes; Family Sarcoptidae
Size
Microscopic, typically 0.3 to 0.45 millimeters long.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

The epidermis of human or animal skin, often specifically in webbing between fingers, wrists, and elbows.

Diet & Feeding

Liquid substances originating from the host's body and skin cells.

Behavior Patterns

The mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin to live and deposit eggs. Female mites tunnel through the skin, leaving waste and eggs behind, which causes an allergic reaction.

Risks & Benefits

Risk: Causes Scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. It can lead to secondary skin infections like impetigo. There are no known benefits to the host or ecosystem.