(Sarcoptes scabiei)
Biology:
Scabies mites are parasitic burrowing mites and are 0.2 – 0.5 mm in size, whereby the females are significantly larger than the males
Their turtle-like body bears diagonally furrowed cuticular ridges. The legs are stump-shaped, with only the first pair of legs protruding beyond the edge of the body.
The host is infested by a mated female that burrows into the host’s skin. There the eggs are laid, the hatched larvae bore through the skin and seek shelter on the skin surface in skin hollows and hair follicles. They feed on skin particles. They develop into adults (imago) via various nymph stages. The females mate on the surface of the skin. The animals go through their entire development cycle on the host and are not able to survive for long outside the host. The animals are usually transmitted to other hosts through close physical contact.
Damage:
Scabies mites cause a very itchy skin disease in humans called scabies (Latin: “scabere” means to scratch). This occurs particularly in the warmth of the bed.
Scabies must be reported to the responsible health authority and must be treated by a doctor.
