Mold Mites
Scientific Name: Tyrophagus putrescentiae (a common species, though many others exist)
Order & Family: Acari (mites), Acaridae (存储螨)
Size: Usually very small, about 0.3-0.5 mm in length, making them barely visible to the naked eye as tiny, whitish specs.
Natural Habitat
Typically found in damp, humid environments with an abundance of mold or fungi. They thrive in stored food products (especially those high in fat and protein), cheese, grains, hay, and sometimes in household dust.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds primarily on fungi, including mold spores and mycelia. They can also consume decaying organic matter, yeast, and processed food products.
Behavior Patterns
These mites are often found in large aggregations when conditions are favorable. They reproduce rapidly under high humidity and moderate temperatures. They are not typically active movers and are often dispersed through contaminated products or on air currents. Their presence usually indicates poor ventilation or high moisture.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include being a common allergen, causing dermatitis (called 'grocer's itch' or 'copra itch') in sensitive individuals through direct contact, and contaminating food products, making them unfit for consumption. They can also transfer mold spores. Benefits are negligible, though they are part of decomposition processes in some ecosystems.
Identified on: 10/1/2025