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Tyrophagus

Harmfulness rating

HARMFUL | NOT HARMFUL | UNCERTAIN

neutral; probably feeds on pollen, mold, and beehive debris

Name

Tyrophagus Oudemans, 1924Oudemans, 1924:
Oudemans, A. C. 1924. Acarologische Aanteekehingen LXXVII. Entomologische Berichten (Amsterdam). 6: 317-336.

Taxonomy

Superorder Acariformes » Order Sarcoptiformes » Suborder Oribatida » Infraorder Desmonomata » Hyporder Astigmata » Family Acaridae » Genus Tyrophagus

Type species

Acarus putrescentiae Schrank, 1781

Common synonyms

Coelognathus von Hessling, 1852 (preoccupied in Reptilia); Povelsenia Oudemans, 1924Oudemans, 1924:
Oudemans, A. C. 1924. Acarologische Aanteekehingen LXXVII. Entomologische Berichten (Amsterdam). 6: 317-336.

Common names

mold mite, storage mite (Tyrophagus putrescentiae), seed mite, copra mite (Tyrophagus longior)

Diagnosis

Adult: Setae ve situated near anterior lateral corners of prodorsalprodorsal:
Pertaining to the prodorsum.
scleritesclerite:
A component section of an exoskeleton; a plate forming the skeleton of an arthropod.
 (Figs. 7, 8). Setae ve barbed, subequal with vi (Figs. 7, 8). Setae si longer than se (Fig. 8). Some hysterosomal setae (typically c1, d1, and d2) shorter than the distance to the next posterior seta (Figs. 1, 3). Genugenu:
Leg or palp segment (also known as podomere or palpomere) between tibia and femur.
I with solenidionsolenidion:
Thin-walled, terminally rounded or pointed filiform or peglike structure that is not birefringent in polarized light (unlike common setae in Acariformes). Often appears striated because of its internal structure. Found on the palpal tarsus on the gnathosoma and may also occur on the tarsus and tibia, less frequently on the genu, and occasionally on the femur of legs I-IV. In Acariformes, leg solenidia often arise from unsclerotized areas.
σ' slightly longer than σ'' (Fig. 10). Tarsitarsus:
Terminal segment (also known as podomere or palpomere) of legs or palps. In Parasitoformes it can be subdivided into telotarsus and basitarsus.
I-II more than twice as long as basal width (Fig. 10). Proral setae (p) thinner than unguinal setae (u) but similar in length (Fig. 11). Grandjean's organGrandjean's organ:
Paired, finger-shaped, lobe-shaped, or otherwise elaborated structure situated on the lateral sides of the propodosoma, typically in association with the podocephalic canal. Its free edges may be strongly fimbriate.
finger-like (Figs. 5, 6). Supracoxal setae of gnathosomagnathosoma:
Division of body anterior to the propodosoma bearing two pairs of appendages (palps and chelicerae).
simplesimple:
Of claws or setae; not modified or not bi- or trifurcate at tip.
(not bi- or trifurcate at tips) (Figs. 7, 8). Coxal plate II well-developed and broad (Fig. 13).

Species identification

Dichotomous key to adults of Tyrophagus is available in Fan and Zhang, 2007Fan and Zhang, 2007:
Fan, Q.-H. amp; Z.-Q. Zhang. 2007. Tyrophagus (Acari: Astigmata: Acaridae). Fauna of New Zealand = Ko te Aitanga Pepeke o Aotearoa (no. 56). Lincoln, New Zeland: Manaaki Whenua Press. 291 pp.. Although this key does not include all species of Tyrophagus and covers the Australasian region only, all but one known species of Tyrophagus found in associations with bees can be identified using this key. The exception is Tyrophagus debrivorus Chinniah and Mohanasundaram, 1996Chinniah and Mohanasundaram, 1996:
Chinniah, C. amp; M. Mohanasundaram. 1996. Three new species of mites associated with insects from Tamil Nadu, India. Entomon . 21 : 157-163. (poorly described). In this key Tyrophagus putrescentiae is treated under the name "Tyrophagus communis" (junior synonym and invalid name), while for the name "Tyrophagus putrescentiae" in this key, the name Tyrophagus fanetzhangorum should be used.

Similar genera

Tyrophagus is similar to Tyroborus (not included in this tool) but differs by its simplesimple:
Of claws or setae; not modified or not bi- or trifurcate at tip.
gnathosomal supracoxal seta (bi- or trifurcated in Tyroborus) and by its broad coxal plate II (reduced and L-shaped in Tyroborus).

Tyrophagus is similar to Tyrolichus but differs by the presence of short dorsal hysterosomal setae (typically c1, d1, and d2) that are shorter than the distance to the next posterior setae (all hysterosomal setae are longer than the distance to the next posterior setae in Tyrolichus).

Distribution

Cosmopolitan including Antarctica and low Earth orbit (onboard spacecraft).

Species associated with bees have been found in all zoogeographic regions but there is no data from Africa, and bees are absent from Antarctica.

Bee hosts

disperses as feeding stages on honey bees (Apis) and bumble bees (Bombus); non-phoretic feeding stages common in nests of honey bees, bumble bees, and stingless bees (Meliponini)

Host association level

facultativefacultative:
can complete entire life cycle without bees or their close relative, wasps
 for generalist species that invade bee nests

Host associations, feeding, and dispersal

Generalist species (including bee-associated mites)

  • All stages live in different peridomesticperidomestic:
    Of or pertaining to living in or around human habitations.
     and agricultural habitats, including hives of honey bees, where they feed on various organic materials, fungi, and nematodes.
  • Phoretic deutonymphsphoretic deutonymph:
    An active nymphal stage in Astigmata that serves for dispersal on arthropod or vertebrate hosts. A subtype of heteromorphic deutonymph. See Life stages page for more details.
     are absent. Feeding stages disperse by active movements, air currents, or with a host (bees or other organisms).

Biology

Ten species have been recorded from bees: Tyrophagus curvipenis, T. debrivorus, T. longior, T. mixtus, T. perniciosus, T. putrescentiae, T. savasi, T. similis, T. tropicus, and T. vanheurni.

In bee nests probably feeds primarily on moldy debris and nematodes, without causing any damage to the bees. In laboratory experiments, Tyrophagus putrescentiae was able to feed on a wide range of food items: bee bread, pollen, beehive debris, dead brood bees, mold, honey, propolispropolis:
A red or brown resinous substance collected by honey bees from tree buds that is used by them to fill crevices and to seal and varnish honeycombs.
, combs and wax. This species, like Carpoglyphus lactis, was able to consume royal jelly. However, another species, Tyrophagus longior, did not reproduce on this food source (Chmielewski, 1991cChmielewski, 1991c:
Chmielewski, W. 1991c. Stored products mites (Acaroidea) in Polish bee hives. In Modern acarology. Volume I: proceedings of the 8 International Congress of Acarology, held in Ceske Budejovice, Czechoslovakia, 6-11 August 1990. , 615-619. The Hague, The Netherlands: SPB Academic Publishing.).

The genus Tyrophagus includes many species commonly found on various organic substances in human-related habitats, such as human dwellings, granaries, various agricultural situations, and even onboard spacecraft. Feeding stages occur on stored products, including grains, cereals, dried fruits, seeds, cheese, fresh produce, as well as animal food, insect cultures and house dust. Often attracted to moldy and wet materials. Also known as an agricultural pest that damages young plants, especially in greenhouses and nurseries. In the field can be found in soil, litter, decomposing plant materials, nests of birds, mammals, honey bees (Apis spp.), bumble bees (Bombus sp.), stingless bees (Meliponini), and solitary bees.

Most species of Tyrophagus do not form phoretic deutonymphsphoretic deutonymph:
An active nymphal stage in Astigmata that serves for dispersal on arthropod or vertebrate hosts. A subtype of heteromorphic deutonymph. See Life stages page for more details.
 and may disperse as feeding stages by active movements, air currents, or by various organisms, including ground beetles and bees (Apis, Bombus).

Many species of Tyrophagus are habitat generalists. However, one lineage, Tyrophagus formicetorum and related species, is restricted to ant nests and has not been found anywhere else, indicating that this lineage is specialized to ants. Species in this lineage do form phoretic deutonymphsphoretic deutonymph:
An active nymphal stage in Astigmata that serves for dispersal on arthropod or vertebrate hosts. A subtype of heteromorphic deutonymph. See Life stages page for more details.
.

Tyrophagus causes allergic reactions and dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Multiple cases of severe anaphylaxis have been reported after ingesting mite-infested food (pancake syndrome, okonomiyaki syndrome, or oral mite anaphylaxis) (reviewed in Sanchez-Borges and Fernandez-Caldas, 2015Sanchez-Borges and Fernandez-Caldas, 2015:
Sanchez-Borges, M. amp; E. Fernandez-Caldas. 2015. Hidden allergens and oral mite anaphylaxis: the pancake syndrome revisited. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology . 15 : 337-343.).

Fig. 1. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female, dorsal view.

Fig. 1. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female, dorsal view.
Fig. 2. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female, ventral view.

Fig. 2. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female, ventral view.
Fig. 3. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male, dorsal view.

Fig. 3. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male, dorsal view.
Fig. 4. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male, ventral view.

Fig. 4. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male, ventral view.
Fig. 5. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female gnathosoma, ventral view.

Fig. 5. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female gnathosoma, ventral view.
Fig. 6. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female propodosoma, optical section close to ventral side showing Grandjean's organ.

Fig. 6. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female propodosoma, optical section close to ventral side showing Grandjean's organ.
Fig. 7. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female prodorsum.

Fig. 7. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female prodorsum.
Fig. 8. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male prodorsum.

Fig. 8. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male prodorsum.
Fig. 9. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male posterior hysterosoma ventral view.

Fig. 9. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male posterior hysterosoma ventral view.
Fig. 10. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male legs I-II, dorsal view.

Fig. 10. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male legs I-II, dorsal view.
Fig. 11. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male legs I-II, ventral view.

Fig. 11. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male legs I-II, ventral view.
Fig. 12. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male leg IV, dorsal view.

Fig. 12. Tyrophagus putrescentiae neotype male leg IV, dorsal view.
Fig. 13. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female idiosoma showing coxal fields I-II, ventral view.

Fig. 13. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female idiosoma showing coxal fields I-II, ventral view.
Fig. 14. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female idiosoma showing coxal fields III-IV, ventral view.

Fig. 14. Tyrophagus putrescentiae female idiosoma showing coxal fields III-IV, ventral view.
Fig. 15. Tyrophagus putrescentiae on old, moldy material of nest of stingless bee Partamona orizabaensis .

Fig. 15. Tyrophagus putrescentiae on old, moldy material of nest of stingless bee Partamona orizabaensis.