Biosystematics of the straw itch mite with special reference to nomenclature and dermatology

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Cross‐mating of various populations of Pyemotes obtained from laboratory insect cultures demonstrated that the straw itch mite is a single, widely dispersed species, different from P.ventricosus, which was probably associated with the furniture beetle. P.ventricosus should not be the approved scientific name for the straw itch mite. The correct name for the straw itch mite is Pyemotes tritici. Various Pyemotes species differ in preferred habitats, hosts, and toxicity to man. Whereas P.tritici commonly attacks grain insects and is highly toxic to man, other species attack wood boring insects and may cause little or no irritation. P.scolyti and P.parviscolyti, which attack bark beetles, cause no observable symptoms. It is suggested that before Pyemotes are used as biological control agents against bark beetles, it is important to identify the species correctly.