Micro arthropodes and thrips


In most laboratories infestation by micro arthropodes and/or thrips has been observed. It is one

of the major problems. In fact those organisms are not that harmfull, but they cause problems

due to the introduction of fungal spores and bacteria in the cultures.

mites

thrips

fungal contamination by mites

Life cycle:

Female mites attach themselves to their host and suck their food. From that moment on the body of the mite starts to grow and eggs are produced, which develop to embryos and mites. Ten days later the first mites are born. The first new born mite is always a male, followed by about 150 females. The latter are directly fecundated by the male. This explains the exponential growth of a mite colony.

mites

one vessel can contain
thousands of mites

a swollen female,
filled with eggs

a burst female,
filled with offspring