Damage potential of Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank (Acari: Acaridae) in Oyster (Pluerotus sajor caju) Mushrooms

Abstract

Mite pests are cosmopolitan and reported from many parts of the world. T. putrescentiae was previously described as saprophagous species that feeds on different fungi including moulds (Eutorium, Penicilium) Fusarium, Alternaria, Geotrichum, Mucor and Trichophyton. Oyster Mushroom is a low investment, low risk, low labour intensive, and moderate profit enterprise. Mites have been found to damage mushrooms right from spawning to harvest of the crop. Moreover, mites themselves pollute the mushrooms by the multitude of faeces that they excrete all over, making the mushrooms uneatable as a food, causes allergies and other diseases. Considering the above facts, efforts have been made to assemble the available literature in this article.