What does a Demodex mite look? - briefly
Demodex mites are elongated, translucent arthropods about 0.3–0.4 mm long, with a segmented body and eight short legs near the anterior end. They resemble tiny worms and are visible only under a microscope.
What does a Demodex mite look? - in detail
Demodex mites are microscopic arachnids measuring 0.2–0.4 mm in length. Their bodies are elongated, cigar‑shaped, and segmented into three distinct regions: the anterior gnathosoma (mouthparts), the central podosoma (legs), and the posterior opisthosoma (abdomen). The gnathosoma contains a pair of chelicerae used for feeding on skin cells and sebum. The podosoma bears four short, unjointed legs, each ending in tiny claws that enable the mite to cling to hair shafts. The opisthosoma is tapered, ending in a pointed posterior tip.
Key morphological features include:
- Transparent to slightly opaque cuticle, allowing internal structures to be faintly visible under light microscopy.
- Two pairs of simple eyes located near the gnathosoma, often reduced or nonfunctional.
- A dorsal surface covered with fine, longitudinal striations; ventral side smoother.
- Absence of wings or respiratory spiracles; gas exchange occurs through diffusion across the cuticle.
Coloration ranges from pale whitish‑gray to faintly yellowish, reflecting the low pigment content. The mites inhabit hair follicles and sebaceous glands, positioning themselves close to the skin surface while remaining concealed within the follicular canal. Their size and translucency make them difficult to detect without magnification, typically requiring a 40×–100× microscope for accurate observation.