Tyrophagus

A genus of storage mites, of which Tyrophagus putrescentiae — the cheese mite — is the most notorious in food contexts. These microscopic arthropods infest stored products with moderate moisture, including cheese rinds, dried fruits, cereals, flour, and pet foods, feeding on moulds and the food itself. Heavy infestations cause visible ‘mite dust‘, off-odours, and allergenic contamination, and the mites can carry spoilage microorganisms. While deliberately introduced mites ripen traditional cheeses such as Mimolette, uncontrolled infestation is a stored-product pest problem. Control relies on low humidity, cool storage, sanitation, and — where permitted — approved acaricidal treatments of storage premises.