Scabies mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30–0.45 mm long, males are half that size
Natural Habitat
Burrows exclusively within the upper layer (stratum corneum) of human skin
Diet & Feeding
Feed on dissolved skin cells and extracellular fluid
Behavior Patterns
Female mites tunnel into the skin to lay eggs, creating zigzag burrows. They are mostly active at night and spread through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Causes an extremely itchy skin infestation (Scabies). Risks include secondary bacterial infections from scratching. There are no ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 3/25/2026