Lardoglyphus zacheri (Acari: Lardoglyphidae), a Pest of Museum Dermestid Colonies, with Observations on Its Natural Ecology and Distribution

Abstract

Lardoglyphus zacheri Oudemans caused the destruction of colonies of Dermestes spp. used to clean vertebrate skeletons in natural history collections. In these closed systems, mites experienced a population explosion, followed by extensive production of dispersing deutonymphs. Deutonymphs attached to both adult and larval beetles, concentrating around mouthparts, legs, and wings. Large numbers of mites in these critical areas hindered movement and interfered with feeding and mating, leading to the death of the beetles. This mite is widespread throughout temperate and boreal North America, where it occurs naturally in vertebrate carrion. The species is also known from Europe and Mexico, where it occurs in proteinaceous food materials and animal by-products. Suggestions for prevention and control of colony infestations are provided.