A Technique for Rearing Tyroglyphid Mites on Mould Cultures

Abstract

This technique was developed to discover whether a tyroglyphid mite, Tyrophagus castellanii Hirst, was feeding on moulds growing on a food medium rather than on the food medium itself. Later on the technique was also found satisfactory for obtaining, under controlled temperature and humidity conditions, individual development records for all stages of the life-cycle of the mite.