Mold Mite
Scientific Name: Tyrophagus putrescentiae
Order & Family: Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae
Size: 0.3 to 0.45 mm
Natural Habitat
Humid environments with decaying organic matter, pantry food items, and mold growth.
Diet & Feeding
Primary diet consists of fungi, yeasts, and molds, though they also consume grain-based products.
Behavior Patterns
Rapid reproduction in high humidity (above 60-70%). They are often seen as tiny, moving white specks on dark surfaces.
Risks & Benefits
Can cause mild skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals; they are pests of stored food products but do not bite or sting.
Identified on: 6/23/2026