Itch mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptidormes; Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: 0.3 to 0.45 mm (females), 0.2 to 0.25 mm (males)
Natural Habitat
The epidermis of human or animal hosts
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and fluid of the host
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the outer layer of the skin (stratum corneum) to lay eggs, which hatch and mature into adults, repeating the cycle.
Risks & Benefits
Causes scabies, a skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. If left untreated, it can lead to secondary skin infections like impetigo. It is highly contagious.
Identified on: 2/3/2026