Flour Mite
Encyclopedia
The flour mite, Acarus siro, is a pest of stored grain
s. An older name is Tyroglyphus farinae. It is one of many species of grain and flour mites.
The flour mite, which is pale greyish white in colour with pink legs, is the most common species of mite
in foodstuffs. The males are from 0.33–0.43 mm (0.012992125984252–0.0169291338582677 ) long and the female is from 0.36 millimetre long.
Flour mites contaminate grain and flour by allergen
s and they transfer pathogenic microorganisms. Foodstuffs acquire a sickly sweet smell and an unpalatable taste. When fed infested foodstuff, animals show reduced feed intake, diarrhoea, inflammation of the small intestine and impaired growth. Pigs have their live-weight gain, feed:gain ratio, and nitrogen retention markedly reduced by infested feeds.
Flour mites are intentionally innoculated into Mimolette
to improve the flavor. When used for this purpose they may be referred to as "cheese mite
s".
GRAIN
GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...
s. An older name is Tyroglyphus farinae. It is one of many species of grain and flour mites.
The flour mite, which is pale greyish white in colour with pink legs, is the most common species of mite
Mite
Mites, along with ticks, are small arthropods belonging to the subclass Acari and the class Arachnida. The scientific discipline devoted to the study of ticks and mites is called acarology.-Diversity and systematics:...
in foodstuffs. The males are from 0.33–0.43 mm (0.012992125984252–0.0169291338582677 ) long and the female is from 0.36 millimetre long.
Flour mites contaminate grain and flour by allergen
Allergen
An allergen is any substance that can cause an allergy. In technical terms, an allergen is a non-parasitic antigen capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity reaction in atopic individuals....
s and they transfer pathogenic microorganisms. Foodstuffs acquire a sickly sweet smell and an unpalatable taste. When fed infested foodstuff, animals show reduced feed intake, diarrhoea, inflammation of the small intestine and impaired growth. Pigs have their live-weight gain, feed:gain ratio, and nitrogen retention markedly reduced by infested feeds.
Flour mites are intentionally innoculated into Mimolette
Mimolette
Mimolette is a cheese traditionally produced around the city of Lille, France. In France, it is also known as Boule de Lille after its city of origin, or vieux Hollande for being made after the tradition of Edam cheese from the Dutch province of Holland...
to improve the flavor. When used for this purpose they may be referred to as "cheese mite
Cheese mite
Tyrophagus casei, the cheese mite, is a species of mite which is inoculated into and Altenburger Ziegenkäse cheese during their production...
s".
External links
- Wikihow How to Get Rid of and Prevent Flour Mites (domestic infestations)