Acarid mites

These mites attack a wide variety of crops, primarily targeting grains, oilseeds, legumes, and vegetable seedlings. They feed on plant tissues and, specifically in stored grains, they burrow into the seed germ, rendering the seed unable to germinate and unsuitable for consumption due to the contamination of waste products.

The biology of Acaridae is adapted to high-humidity environments. Their life cycle consists of egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph (hypopus), and adult stages. The hypopus stage is a resistant dispersal phase that allows the mites to survive adverse environmental conditions and travel via other organisms to infest new locations.

Damage caused by these mites includes the destruction of grain embryos and the spread of microorganisms. In storage facilities, their presence leads to increased heat generation, known as "hot spots," which promotes mold growth and further degradation of the quality of the stored produce, often accompanied by a distinct unpleasant odor.

Control strategies for Acaridae focus on sanitation and environmental regulation. Maintaining storage humidity levels below 14% is the most effective way to inhibit mite growth. Chemical control involves the use of approved fumigants in storage facilities and acaricides on infested crops when economic thresholds are reached.

• Maintaining grain moisture below critical levels.
• Regular cleaning and sterilization of storage bins.
• Application of specialized acaricides.
• Integrated pest management for greenhouse crops.