Arachnids

Demodex folliculorum. Adult female, ventral view (unstained, high power). These small mites typically inhabit pilosebaceous follicles on the face, nose, forehead, and scalp. Scrapings of the skin or biopsy specimens often reveal these organisms. D. folliculorum measures 300 µm long by 50 µm in breadth. The anterior portion of the body bears the mouth parts (gnathosoma) and the four pairs of stumpy legs (podosoma). The body is transversely striated and ends bluntly. Eggs of Demodex are spindle-shaped and are approximately 100 µm long.