Studies on the Straw Itch Mite Pyemotes tritici (Newport) (Acari: Pyemotidae)

For the first time in Jordan, an outbreak of the straw itch mite Pyemotes tritici (Newport) infested houses and people in areas where buildings are surrounded by open fields of cereals, especially barley and wheat growing area in Shafa Badran (Amman district) in summer 2002, 2003 and 2004. Mites were quite annoying and people inhabiting that area complained from discomfort and dermatitis. Visiting to the area revealed that the itch mite was the problem. People were treated in the hospital with cortisone containing ointment and antihistamine compounds, orally. Patients improved, symptoms disappeared but the itch mite and dermatitis shows up from time to time as far as there are moths in the area. Life history of the mite was studied using the predator larvae Scutellista cyanea Motsch. as host. It was 6-7 days for a generation at 25 °C. Certain treatments, control and prevention methods were recommended