Mushroom mite

The mushroom mite (lat. Caloglyphus mycophagus) belongs to the order Acariformes and the family Acaridae. This small, sluggish saprophage proliferates rapidly in substrates rich in organic matter and fungal mycelium, posing a significant threat to greenhouse environments and commercial mushroom production facilities.

This pest affects a wide range of crops, including button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and various vegetable seedlings in greenhouses. It is particularly dangerous for planting material, bulbs, and root vegetables stored in humid conditions, as high moisture provides an ideal environment for its population growth and development.

The biology of the species is characterized by a rapid life cycle. The mite progresses through stages including egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph (hypopus), and adult. During the hypopus stage, the mite can survive extreme conditions, including starvation, and travels on other insects, which facilitates its rapid dispersal across growing areas.

The damage caused by the mite involves intensive feeding on mycelium, as well as destruction of root tissues and bulbs. Infested plants show stunted growth, chlorosis, and often succumb to secondary bacterial infections that enter through damaged areas. In mushroom operations, these mites can destroy entire crops in a very short time.

Control measures primarily focus on maintaining strict sanitation in greenhouses and storage facilities. Effective strategies include:

• Thermal pasteurization of growth substrates.
• Maintaining optimal moisture and ventilation levels.
• Regular disinfection of equipment and tools.
• Targeted application of acaricides when pest thresholds are exceeded.