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Acarina TARSONEMOIDEA (Itch Mites) (Contact) Please
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Image & underlined links to view: Most species
in this large group of mites are phytophagous or attack non-human hosts such
as grasshoppers. Acarapis woodi Rennie
inhabits the tracheae of honeybees that results in the "Isle of Wight Disease" in northern
Europe. Only a few
species are parasitic on humans. Pediculoides
ventricosus Newport, known as the "Grain Itch Mite,"
is probably cosmopolitan in distribution by 2016. It feeds on larvae of insects in grains, cotton or their
products. In the life cycle the eggs
hatch within the female's body where the young mites are kept until
maturity. A single prolific female
can sustain over 260 sexually mature offspring. In plant material the numbers of these mites are extremely
high. The itch mite, Psoroptes communis, is a
nonburrowing species that attacks sheep primarily, but also humans working in
the area. The hair follicle mite, Demodex folliculorum
also common on domestic animals may affect humans in a closed environment. Humans become
attacked when coming into contact with mite-infested material. A severe rash covering the entire body can
result followed by fever and sweating.
As with many of these mites, avoidance is the best treatment even
though medicinal applications are sometimes required, usually on the advice
of a physician. CONTROL Folk remedies
that involve bathing in warm soapy water have provided some relief, although
taking care to avoid infested areas is still the best remedy. In severe cases consultation with a
physician is always advisable. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Key References: <medvet.ref.htm> [Additional references may be found at: MELVYL Library] Croft, B.
A., , P. D. Pratt, G. Koskela & D. Kaufman. 1998.
"Predation, reproduction, and impact of phytoseiid mites (Acari:
Phytoseiidae) on cyclamen mit (Acari: Tarsonemidae) on strawberry". J. Econ. Ent. 91(6): 1307 1314. Jeppson, L. R. , H. Hartford &
Keifer & Edward William Baker (1975). "The Tarsonemidae
Kramer". Mites injurious to economic plants. Univ. of Calif. Press.
pp. 285–306. Matheson, R. 1950. Medical Entomology. Comstock Publ. Co, Inc. 610 p. Nugroho
& Y. Ibrahim. 2004. "Laboratory bioassay of some
entomopathogenic fungi against broad mite". J. Agric. Biology. 6(2): 223 225. Service, M. 2008.
Medical Entomology For Students.
Cambridge Univ. Press. 289 p Sterk, G., E. Bal, W. Goossens & D. Bylemans. 1997.
"Semi-field and field experience in the control of the strawberry
mite, Tarsonemus pallidus Banks)
(Acarina: Tarsonemidae)". Parasitica 53(1): 25–33. Weintraub,
P. G. & E. Palevsky. 2003. "Distribution and diel movement of
the predatory mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris, on
greenhouse sweet
pepper preliminary
study". IOBC/WPRS Bulletin. 26: 89–94. |