mite

Any of various small or minute arachnids of the order Acarina that are often parasitic on animals and plants, infest stored food products, and in some species transmit disease.

[Middle English, from Old English mīte.]

1. 1. A very small contribution or amount of money.
   2. A widow's mite.
2. A very small object, creature, or particle.
3. A coin of very small value, especially an obsolete British coin worth half a farthing.

a mite

1. To a small degree; somewhat: That remark was a mite unfair.

[Middle English, from Middle Dutch and Middle Low German mīte, a small Flemish coin, tiny animal.]

noun

A tiny amount: bit¹, crumb, dab¹, dash, dot, dram, drop, fragment, grain, iota, jot, minim, modicum, molecule, ort, ounce, particle, scrap¹, scruple, shred, smidgen, speck, tittle, trifle, whit. Chiefly British spot. See big/small/amount.

(click to enlarge)
Red velvet mite (Dinothrombium; magnified about five times) (credit: Anthony Bannister — The Natural History Photographic Agency/EB Inc.)

Any of about 20,000 species of tiny arachnids (subclass Acari, sometimes Acarina or Acarida). Species range from microscopic to 0.25 in. (6 mm) long. Mites live in water and soil, on plants, and as plant and animal parasites. Both parasitic and nonparasitic forms transmit plant and animal diseases. Itch mites (family Sarcoptidae), which burrow into the skin of humans and animals, cause the highly contagious disease scabies. A few species transmit tapeworms to cattle. Grain mites (family Glycyphagidae) damage stored products and irritate the skin of those who handle the products. House dust allergy is caused by species of the common genus Dermatophagoides. See also chigger.

For more information on mite, visit Britannica.com.

Any arthropod of the order Acarina except the ticks; they are characterized by minute size, usually transparent or semitransparent body, and other features distinguishing them from the ticks. They may be free living or parasitic on animals or plants, and may produce various irritations of the skin. See mange, chigger, harvest mites, psorergates ovis, demodectic, notoedric, otodectic, and many locality names, e.g. cat fur mites, ear mites, nasal mites, and other special titles, e.g. harvest mites, housedust mites.

• chigger m. — see chigger.
• m. fever — see scrub typhus.
• grain itch m. — see pediculoides ventricosus.

A virtually invisible spiderlike arachnid that sucks sap from leaves. Mites are especially troublesome in warm dry weather. Also called spider mite.

Tutor's tip: While he "might" (may) be just a "mite" (a small child or parasite) don't underestimate his "might" (power or strength).

A microscopic mite Lorryia formosa.

Mites, along with ticks, belong to the subclass Acarina (also known as Acari) and the class Arachnida. Mites are among the most diverse and successful of all the invertebrate groups. They have exploited an incredible array of habitats, and because of their small size (most are microscopic) go largely unnoticed. Many live freely in the soil or water, but there are also a large number of species that live as parasites on plants, animals, and some that feed on mold.

Some of the plant pests include the so-called spider mites (family Tetranychidae), thread-footed mites (family Tarsonemidae), and the gall mites (family Eriophyidae). Among the species that attack animals are members of the Sarcoptic Mange mites (family Sarcoptidae), which burrow under the skin. Demodex mites (family Demodicidae) are parasites that live in or near the hair follicles of mammals, including humans. Perhaps the best-known mite, though, is the house dust mite (family Pyroglyphidae).

Insects may also have parasitic mites. Examples are Varroa destructor which attaches to the body of the honeybee, and Acarapis woodi (family Tarsonemidae), which lives in the tracheae of honey bees. There are hundreds of species of mites associated with other bee species, and most are poorly described and understood. Some are thought to be parasites, while others beneficial symbionts.

There are over 45,000 described species of mites[1]. Scientists believe that we have only found 5% of the total diversity of mites. Mites are believed to have existed for around 400 million years.

The scientific discipline devoted to the study of ticks and mites is called acarology.

The tropical species Archegozetes longisetosus is one of the strongest animals in the world, relative to its mass (100 μg): It lifts up to 1182 times its own weight, over five times more than would be expected of such a minute animal (Heethoff & Koerner 2007).

Contents 1 Systematics 2 Allergy 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

Systematics

In the usual taxonomy, the ticks form one of several superfamilies in the taxon comprising the mites. For the systematics of mites, see Acarina.

Allergy

Mites cause several forms of allergic diseases, including hay fever, asthma and eczema and are known to aggravate atopic dermatitis.^[1] Mites are usually found in warm and humid locations, including beds. It is thought that inhalation of mites during sleep exposes the human body to some antigens which eventually induce hypersensitivity reaction.^[2] Dust mite allergens are thought to be among the heaviest dust allergens.^[3]

Like most of the other types of allergy, treatment of mite allergy starts with avoidance. There is a strong body of evidence showing that avoidance should be helpful in patients with atopic dermatitis triggered by exposure to mites.^[4] Regular washing of mattresses and blankets with hot water can help in this regard.^[5] Antihistamines are also useful; Cetirizine, for example, is shown to reduce allergic symptoms of patients.^[6] However not all types of mites are infectious including the Alaskozetes antarcticus an arctic inhabiting mite.^[7]

Rust mite Aceria anthocoptes	Flat mite Brevipalpus phoenicis	House dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus	Yellow mite Lorryia formosa
Yellow mite Lorryia formosa	Plant mites forming a reproductive colony	Velvet mite	Convolvulus arvensis flower with velvet mites (Trombidium sp.)

See also

• Grain itch
• Copra itch
• Gamasoidosis

References

1. ^ Klenerman, Paul; Lipworth, Brian; authors. "House dust mite allergy". NetDoctor. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/allergyhousedustmite.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-20. 
2. ^ "Hypersensitivity reaction to mite allergens". Allergy Guide. http://www.alergy.org.uk/mite-alergy.html. Retrieved 2008-02-20. 
3. ^ "Dust allergens". AllergyEscape.com. http://www.allergyescape.com/dust-mites.html. Retrieved 2008-02-20. 
4. ^ "Consultation and referral guidelines citing the evidence: how the allergist–immunologist can help.". National Guideline Clearinghouse. February 2006. http://www.guidelines.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=9334&nbr=005003. Retrieved 2008-02-20. 
5. ^ "Rhinitis management.". National Guideline Clearinghouse. May 2003. http://www.guidelines.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=3875&nbr=003084. Retrieved 2008-02-20. 
6. ^ Ciprandi G, Tosca M, Passalacqua G, Canonica GW (September 2001). "Long-term cetirizine treatment reduces allergic symptoms and drug prescriptions in children with mite allergy". Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 87 (2): 222–6. PMID 11570619. 
7. ^ "Consultation and referral guidelines citing the evidence: how the allergist–immunologist can help.". National Guideline Clearinghouse. February 2006. http://www.guidelines.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=9334&nbr=005003. Retrieved 2008-02-20. 

• Heethoff, M. & Koerner, L. (2007): Small but powerful – The oribatid mite Archegozetes longisetosus Aoki (Acari, Oribatida) produces disproportionate high forces. J. Exp. Biol. '210'(17): 3036–3042. doi:10.1242/jeb.008276 (Abstract).

External links

• Bitingmites.org: What's biting you?
• PARASITIC MITES OF HUMANS University of Kentucky
• Red velvet mite – Trombidium sp. diagnostic photographs
• Worldwide honey bee decline due to mite infestations – article, photographs
• Control of the citrus rust mite hosted by the UNT Government Documents Department butt
• Mites and Ticks chapter in United States Environmental Protection Agency and University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences National Public Health Pesticide Applicator Training Manual
• mites of southeastern U.S. woody ornamentals on the UF/IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
• Brevipalpus californicus, a false spider mite
• Brevipalpus phoenicis, red and black flat mite
• Raoiella indica, red palm mite
• Tenuipalpus pacificus, phalaenopsis mite

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
1.
n. - [zool.] mide

2.
n. - lille smule, skærv
adv. - lidt, en smule

Nederlands (Dutch)
mijt, puk, tikkeltje, koperstukje

Français (French)
1.
n. - pauvre petit, acarien

2.
n. - un tantinet
adv. - quelque peu, plutôt

Deutsch (German)
1.
n. - Milbe

2.
n. - Knirps, kleines Ding, Scherflein
adv. - etwas , ein bißchen

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - μικροποσό, (εντομ.) άκαρι
adj. - λιγουλάκι

Italiano (Italian)
oggetto piccolo, piccola quantità, piccino (bambino), acaro

Português (Portuguese)
n. - ácaro (m) (Entom.), esmola (f)
adj. - de valor diminuto

Русский (Russian)
скромная доля, грош, капелька, крошечное существо, клещ

Español (Spanish)
1.
n. - chiquillo, ácaro

2.
n. - pizca, mota
adv. - hasta cierto punto, de alguna manera, un poco

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - skärv, liten smula, pyre, kvalster
adj. - pytte-

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
1. 小蜘蛛, 小虱

2. 微小的东西, 小孩, 一点点, 极少的钱

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
1.
n. - 微小的東西, 小孩, 一點點, 極少的錢

2.
n. - 小蜘蛛, 小虱

한국어 (Korean)
1.
n. - (벌레의 일종) 진드기

2.
n. - 잔돈, 작은 금액의 성금, 어린 아이, 조금
adv. - 조금

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - ダニ, ごく小さいもの, 半ファージング, 少額の金, 少量, 少々, フランドルの小額銅貨, 小銭, 子供

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) سوس, , عث, عفن (صفه) قليل, ضئيل‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮אקרית (טפיל)‬
n. - ‮פרוטה, תרומה קטנה, ילדון‬
adv. - ‮מעט, פורתא, ליתר דיוק‬

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