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Tyrophagus casei

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tyrophagus casei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Sarcoptiformes
Family: Acaridae
Genus: Tyrophagus
Species:
T. casei
Binomial name
Tyrophagus casei
(Oudemans, 1910)[1]
Synonyms

Tyrolichus casei Oudemans, 1910

Tyrophagus casei, the cheese mite, is a species of mite which is inoculated into Milbenkäse and Altenburger Ziegenkäse cheese during their production. It is 0.45–0.70 millimetres (0.018–0.028 in) long, and feeds on cheese, corn, flour, old honeycombs, bird collections[clarification needed], and smoked meats.[2]

The surface of cheese which has been colonised by mites may be covered with a fine, grey powder or bloom, due to the mites themselves and their moulted skin and faeces. These impart a distinctive "piquant" taste to various cheeses.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tyrophagus casei (Oudemans, 1910)". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  2. ^ Thomas Scott (1996). "Acari". Concise Encyclopedia: Biology. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 6–7. ISBN 3-11-010661-2.
  3. ^ "Mites". www.the-piedpiper.co.uk.
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