긴털가루진드기(Tyrophagus putrescentiae)는 주로 실내에 서식하며 알레르기 및 호흡기 질환을 일으키는 주 요 해충이다. 주로 침구류에서 발생하며, 사람이나 동물로부터 떨어진 각질과 비듬 또는 저장 곡식 등을 주요 먹이원으로 한다. 암컷 한 마리가 일생에 200~300개의 알을 산란하기 때문에 빠르게 번식할 수 있으며, 육안으로 확인할 수 없는 크기이기 때문에 관찰 및 관리가 불가능하다. 하지만 긴털가루진드기로 인해 발생하는 알레르기 에 관한 연구는 환자의 치료에 초점이 맞춰져 있기 때문에, 근본적으로 알레르기를 발생시키는 원인을 해결할 수 있는 방안이 부족한 상황이다. 본 연구에서는 가정에서 발생할 수 있는 긴털가루진드기를 효과적으로 방제하 기 위한 통합적 방제 전략을 제시한다. 열, 살비제(Chlorfenapyr, Spiromesifen, Pyflubumide), 초음파, Essential oil(Lemongrass, Peppermint)을 사용하여 살비 및 기피 효과를 확인하였다. 고온 노출은 100% 살비 효과를 보여주 었으며, 살비제는 3시간 동안 90% 이상의 살비 효과를 보여주었다. 긴털가루진드기가 초음파에 노출되었을 때 23%의 기피 행동을 관찰하였으며, Essential oil(Lemongrass, Peppermint)을 유인용 먹이에 처리했을 때, 긴털가루 진드기 97%의 접근을 차단하였다. 본 연구를 통해 실내 알레르기의 가장 중요한 원인으로 주목받는 긴털가루진 드기에 대한 체계적인 방제 전략을 적절한 환경에 적용시킴으로써, 집먼지진드기로 인한 알레르기 및 호흡기 질환 발생을 감소시키고 안전한 주거 환경을 조성할 것으로 기대한다.

The potential abilities of 3-methylbenzaldehyde derived from Myosotis arvensis oil and its structural analogues to actas new acaricide and mite kit (mite color deformation) against Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) were evaluated in thepresent study. Based on the LD50 values, 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde (0.78 μg/cm3) had highest vapor action against T.putrescentiae, followed by 2,4-methylbenzaldehyde (1.14 μg/cm3), 2,5-dimethylbenzaldehyde (1.29 μg/cm3), 2-methylbenzaldehyde (1.32 μg/cm3), 2,3-dimethylbenzaldehyde (1.55 μg/ cm3), 3-methylbenzaldehyde (1.97 μg/cm3), and4-methylbenzaldehyde (2.34 μg/cm3). The color deformation of seven methylbenzaldehyde analogues mixed with2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde against T. putrescentiae showed mite color deformation, from coloress to reddish brown, andvaluable to distinguish with the naked eye. In addition, there was no antagonistic interactions between 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehydeand the methylbenzaldehyde analogues. These finding suggests that the methylbenzaldehyde analogues could be developedas dual functional agent to protect from fall in the commercial value of stored food products.

The essential oils of three Coriandrum sativum seeds cultivated from India, Russia and America were evaluated for acaricidal toxicities against Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae. The oils of three C. sativum seeds were analyzed by gas chromatography. The oil of C. sativum seeds cultivated from India included substantially linalool (66.8%) and camphor (6.46%). In the fumigant bioassay, based on the LD50 values against D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus, and T. putrescentiae, the oil of C. sativum seeds cultivated from America (LD50, 2.62, 2.74, and 2.88 μg/cm3) was about 3.75, 3.32, and 4.17 times more active higher than benzyl benzoate (9.85, 9.10 and, 12.01 μg/cm3). The acaricidal activity of the oil of C. sativum seeds cultivated from India was 2.27, 2.03, and 2.64 times higher than that of the benzyl benzoate, followed by Russia oil. These results suggest that the oils of three C. sativum seeds might be used as suitable acaricides.

Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp) as a storage mite inhabitats in stored grains, hay, and straw at agricultural areas. T. putrescentiae stimulates an immune response and triggers inflammatory cytokines release, and thus it is a source of allergen that sensitize and induce allergic reactions. Also, T. putrescentiae has been reported to cause asthma and atopic disease by cross-reactivity with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp). The study on T. putrescentiae in human monocytic THP-1 cells is not enough to understand cytokine expression and pathological mechanisms. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of T. putrescentiae extract (TpE) on production of inflammatory cytokines and expression of mRNA level in THP-1 cells. THP-1 cells are treated with TpE and supernatants were analyzed for the production of cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). mRNA level in the culture cells was measured by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). As a result of this study, TpE significantly induced secretion of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in THP-1 cells in time- and dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that TpE may play a role in contributing to inflammatory disease through stimulation of immune cell. Further research of T. putrescentiae is needed to understand the elucidation of the pathogenic mechanism.

A storage mite (cheese mite), Tyrophagus putrescentiae, is known as the pest in storing grains and common health pest species in the dust around home. The mite directly affect our well-being as parasites, vectors of disease, and producers of allergens. But recently we found damages in horticultural crops especially in greenhouses. It is very difficult to diagnose the damage by the mite because of the tiny size of the mite. And the symptom is not clear at the beginning stage. In this study, observations were done on the mite and the crop damage symptoms in several horticultural crops under dissecting microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The mite body size was 0.3~0.5㎜ and they had long hairs all around their body when observed under SEM. The characteristic damage symptoms in some horticultural crops are as follows. In phalaenopsis, the flower buds became yellow and the lower side of the leaves had white spots. The surface of young cucumber fruits became shiny and soft at the early damage stage. In the crops, the damaged surfaces became corky as the plants grew up. In peach tree, whole the trees lost vigor and flower drops were observed when the mite density was very high in greenhouse cultivation.