Demodex /ˈdɛmədɛks/ is a genus of tiny mites that live in or near hair follicles of mammals. Around 65 species of Demodex are known.[2] Two species live on humans: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, both frequently referred to as eyelash mites, alternatively face mites or skin mites.[3]
Different species of animals host different species of Demodex. Demodex canis lives on the domestic dog. The presence of Demodex species on mammals is common and usually does not cause any symptoms. Demodex is derived from Greek δημός (dēmos) 'fat' and δήξ, δηκός (dēx, dēkós) 'woodworm'.[4][5][6]
- ^ Owen, [Richard] (1843). "Lecture XIX. Arachnida". Lectures on Comparative Anatomy. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans. p. 252.
- ^ Yong, Ed (August 31, 2012). "Everything you never wanted to know about the mites that eat, crawl, and have sex on your face". Not Exactly Rocket Science. Discover. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
- ^ Cassidy, Josh (21 May 2019). "Meet the Mites That Live on Your Face". NPR.
- ^ δημός. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; An Intermediate Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.
- ^ δήξ. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.
- ^ "Demodex". Medical Dictionary (medicine.academic.ru).