Glycyphagus

Hering, 1838

Grocer's Itch Mites

is a of astigmatid in the , commonly known as grocer's itch mites. in this genus inhabit diverse environments including animal nests, stored products, house , and hay. They feed on debris and can disperse via on or air currents. Some species are significant pests of stored grain and household materials.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Glycyphagus: //ɡlɪˈsɪfəɡəs//

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Identification

Prodorsum lacks external vertical ve. Internal vertical setae vi are long, barbed, and positioned to the margin of the propodosoma. Scapular setae si and se arranged in trapezoid or rectangle. Some possess prodorsal (crista metopica). setae long and heavily barbed in some species. Subcapitulum with distinct ridge pattern. of first two leg pairs each bear two ventral setae. simple and small. Females with short external copulatory tube at posterior end; males lack paranal suckers and tarsal suckers on fourth leg pair. Subgenus Lepidoglyphus characterized by subtarsal on legs.

Habitat

Animal nests (rodents, birds, ), stored products, house , hay, and grass. Requires humid microhabitats; avoids desiccation.

Distribution

Records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden; individual have broader distributions including domestic environments globally.

Diet

Various materials including stored food products, decaying organic matter, and household debris. Specific such as G. domesticus and G. destructor are pests of stored grain.

Life Cycle

Development includes , larval, post-embryonic, and stages. Hypopus stage (cyst-like, unique to Tyroglyphidae lato) formed; higher proportion of hypopi produced at 70-75% than at 95-100%. Optimum temperature for egg development 24.4°C; optimum for post-embryonic stages 22.2°C.

Behavior

Phoretic on such as ; also dispersed by air currents. Aggregates in favorable humid microhabitats. Rapid increase when food and moisture are abundant. G. domesticus produces neral as an .

Ecological Role

in domestic and stored product ; contributes to breakdown of materials. Some are significant pests of stored grain and household materials.

Human Relevance

G. domesticus known as the furniture ; causes grocer's itch and is a pest of stored grain and household materials. G. destructor also a pest of stored grain. Some associated with house .

Similar Taxa

  • TyrophagusBoth are astigmatid in stored products; distinguished by lack of external vertical ve and presence of hypopus stage with specific humidity responses.
  • AëroglyphusBoth occur in stored grain; has intermediate between Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Aëroglyphus robustus, and differs in setal arrangement.

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