The number of mites peaks in adults, as their pores are larger, and the mites become active at night. They then move from one hair follicle to another, looking for a partner to mate with.
The DNA of Demodex follicular has now been sequenced for the first time in a new study. This shows that their isolated existence and the resulting inbreeding make them reject unnecessary genes and cells and that they are making a transition from external parasites to internal symbionts, who are completely dependent on humans, which are now which is largely the case, by the way.
“We found that these mites have a different arrangement of genes for their body parts than other similar species, which is due to the fact that they adapt to their sheltered life in the pores. These changes in their DNA have led to some unusual body features and behaviors,” said Dr. Alejandra Perotti, a professor of invertebrate biology at the University of Reading and one of the leaders of the study.