Life cycle and reproduction of house‐dust mites: environmental factors influencing mite populations
- 30 December 1998
- Vol. 53 (s48), 13-17
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1398-9995.1998.tb04990.x
Abstract
An understanding of the life cycle of house‐dust mites, as well as environmental factors influencing mite populations, can be exploited in mite control. The most important limiting factor for house‐dust‐mite populations is air humidity. House‐dust mites osmoregulate through the cuticle and therefore require a high ambient air humidity to prevent excessive water loss. In addition, the supracoxal glands actively take up ambient water vapour, and the protonymph stage of the life cycle is resistant to desiccation. Larger house‐dust‐mite populations are found when the absolute indoor air humidity is above 7 g/kg (45% relative humidity at 20°C). Consequently, ventilation by air‐conditioning systems is being developed as a means of control. A number of other aspects of the domestic environment are also being manipulated in an integrated approach to render the habitat less suitable for mites. The potential exists for developing models for house‐dust‐mite populations, environmental characteristics, and the effects of various approaches to control.Keywords
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Allergen exposure and controlExperimental and Applied Acarology, 1992
- Ultrastructure of the reproductive system of the house dust mitesDermatophagoides farinae andD. pteronyssinus (Acari, Pyroglyphidae) with remarks on spermatogenesis and oogenesisExperimental and Applied Acarology, 1992
- Age structure and dynamics of house dust mite populationsExperimental and Applied Acarology, 1992
- Water balance and humidity requirements of house dust mitesExperimental and Applied Acarology, 1992
- Evidence Refuting the Contribution of the Fungus Aspergillus penicillioides to the Allergenicity of the House Dust Mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinusInternational Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 1992
- House dust mite allergen levels and an anti‐mite mattress spray (natamycin) in the treatment of childhood asthmaClinical and Experimental Allergy, 1990
- Ecology of house dust mites in OxfordshireClinical and Experimental Allergy, 1990
- Effects of temperature and relative humidity on development times and mortality of eggs from laboratory and wild populations of the European house-dust miteDermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae)Experimental and Applied Acarology, 1987
- The effect of seasonal and domestic factors on the distribution of Euroglyphus maynei in the homes of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergic patientsClinical and Experimental Allergy, 1986
- Treatment of House Dust AllergyBMJ, 1968