![]() ![]() Sarcoptes scabiei, commonly known as the scabies, mange or itch mite, is a parasite of humans and other animals. Understanding mite biology and the symptoms associated with mite infestations can help determine if they are the actual cause of a particular problem. Because of their relatively small size, mites are often the "suspects" of a whole range of biting/itching symptoms. Their biting and bloodsucking behavior can cause considerable discomfort to their hosts and a few species also cause serious allergic reactions, such as asthmatic attacks, in people. Most of these are external parasites (i.e., they feed on the exterior of their hosts), but some species inhabit the ear canals, lungs, intestine and bladder of vertebrates, particularly domestic animals. There are also thousands of species that are parasites of animals or plants. Some are beneficial feeding on decaying organic matter while others are predators of insects and other mites. Fortunately, the mites that we commonly encounter in North Carolina do not transmit disease agents that affect people. On a world-wide basis, mites are important nuisance pests and some are capable of transmitting disease agents.
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