Community identification
Itch mite (Scabies mite)
Sarcoptes scabiei
- Order & Family
- Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
- Size
- Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30 to 0.45 mm long, males are about half that size
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically within the stratum corneum (outermost layer of the epidermis)
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and fluid (serum) from the host
Behavior Patterns
Adult females burrow into the skin to lay eggs. The life cycle involves egg, larva, nymph, and adult stages, taking about 10-14 days to complete. They transfer through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes scabies, an intensely itchy skin infestation that can lead to secondary bacterial infections from scratching. No known benefits to humans or the ecosystem.