Glycyphagus

Hering, 1838

Grocer's Itch Mites

Glycyphagus is a of astigmatid mites in the Glycyphagidae, commonly known as grocer's itch mites. in this genus inhabit diverse environments including animal nests, stored products, house dust, and hay. They feed on organic debris and can disperse via on insects 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 setae 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. Tibiae of first two leg pairs each bear two ventral setae. Tarsal claws 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, bees), stored products, house dust, 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 organic 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 sensu lato) formed; higher proportion of hypopi produced at 70-75% relative humidity than at 95-100%. Optimum temperature for egg development 24.4°C; optimum for post-embryonic stages 22.2°C.

Behavior

Phoretic on insects such as bees; 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

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

Human Relevance

G. domesticus known as the furniture mite; 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 dust.

Similar Taxa

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

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