Tyrophagus casei

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, and smoked meats.[2]

Tyrophagus casei
Scientific classification
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T. casei
Binomial name
Tyrophagus casei
(Oudemans, 1910)[1]
Synonyms

Tyrolichus casei Oudemans, 1910

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

References

  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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