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
The epidermis (outer layer of skin) of humans and other mammals; they are obligate parasites.
Diet & Feeding
The mites feed on skin cells and intercellular fluid by burrowing into the stratum corneum.
Behavior Patterns
Female mites burrow into the skin to lay eggs. These burrows appear as tiny, zig-zagging, raised lines. They are highly contagious through direct skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching (often worse at night), rashes, and secondary bacterial infections from scratching. There are no known benefits to the host or ecosystem.