Food selection of the field population of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari, Acarida)

The start of the grazing, rate of the consumption of fungi, mite population growth and humidity conditions were observed. Differences were found in regard to the attractiveness as well as to the nutritional value expressed by the population dynamics. Penicillium chermesinum and some strains of Penicillium claviforme seem to be the most suitable food, but also some Alternaria species and Mucor racemosus are very palatable for mites tested. The population explosion of bacteria associated with mites during the consumption of some fungi followed by the population increase of mites of the family Anoetidae were recorded. The total and irreversible destruction of some fungi tested was observed as a consequence of the mite grazing.