Lardoglyphus zacheri

Lardoglyphus zacheri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Subclass: Acari
Order: Sarcoptiformes
(unranked): Astigmatina
Family: Lardoglyphidae
Genus: Lardoglyphus
Species: L. zacheri
Binomial name
Lardoglyphus zacheri
Oudemans, 1927

Lardoglyphus zacheri is a species of mite first discovered by Dr. Zacher in a dermestid beetle culture. The genus Lardoglyphus was erected by Anthonie Cornelis Oudemans in 1927.[1] The species is known to be a pest to institutional[2] as well as private[3] dermestid beetle colonies.

Lardoglyphus zacheri has been less studied than its congener L. konoi, which is occasionally called the "fish mite" and has been known to threaten supplies of cured fish. As a food supply threat the latter species is therefore more of a concern. However, much can be inferred about L. zacheri by studying L. konoi, the latter of which is known to thrive in humid environments. Thus Lardoglyphus species can be expected to become pests in many tropical and subtropical situations, especially where ambient conditions are humid.[4] Some researchers have asserted that devastating L. zacheri infestations can occur in any climate when their target is a dermestid beetle colony. The high humidity levels produced in the often enclosed colonies are the likely cause of such infestations, even when said colonies are located in relatively dry climates.[3]

Scientists believe that cured fish infestations of L. zacheri are initiated by dermestid (carrion) beetles that carry hypopi to the fish source in the first place. For this reason, researchers interested in studying L. zacheri concomitantly study the Dermestes maculatus carrion beetle.[5]

References

  1. A. Margaret Hughes (1956). "The mite genus Lardoglyphus Oudemans, 1927 (= Hoshikadania Sasa and Asanuma, 1951)" (PDF). Zoologische Mededelingen 34 (20): 271–285.
  2. Kurt Iverson, Barry M. Oconnor, Ronald Ochoa & Richard Heckmann (1996). "Lardoglyphus zacheri (Acari: Lardoglyphidae), a pest of museum dermestid colonies, with observations on its natural ecology and distribution". Annals of the Entomological Society of America 89 (4): 544–549.
  3. 1 2 Graves, Rob (2006). Beetles & Bones: Care, Feeding, and Use of Dermestid Beetles. South Berwick, ME: Jillett Publications. p. 44. ISBN 978-0977463008.
  4. Haines & Rees. "Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute". A field guide to the types of insects and mites infesting cured fish. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  5. Damage caused to cured fish "A field guide to the types of insects and mites infesting cured fish." Check |url= value (help). LARDOGLYPHUS SPP. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
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