Scientific name: Pyemotes herfsi

Other common names: Itch mite, Oak leaf gall mite

Family: Pyemotidae

Distribution

Worldwide

Description

Measures about 0.2–0.8 mm and it parasitizes a variety of insects. It can also bite humans causing red, itchy, and painful welts. However, they do not cause discomfort to humans for long because they prefer other environments. Fair-skinned individuals are more sensitive to this mite. This mite species has a high reproductive capacity and because of its size, it can be dispersed by the wind, making control difficult.

Hosts

Insects and humans