The very tiny scabies mites were already known to the ancient Greeks.

In the 12th century a female abbot noticed the interrelation between scabies and the little animals for the first time, but nobody payed attention to her observation.

After the copulation the female digs a corridor into the skin of the victim within a few minutes; at the end of the corridor one of the fifty eggs is laid down. After four days the larva slips and causes a further spreading of the infection.

In contrary to the female the portrayed male has very thick legs. they serve as clips during the copulation.