Effects of the fungus Aspergillus penicillioides on the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus: an experimental re-evaluation.

In this report the widely-held view that house dust mites benefit from fungal contamination of the dietary substratum is re-examined. The performance of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) is documented over two successive generations in the presence or absence of the xerophilic fungus Aspergillus penicillioides (Hyphomycetales: Moniliaceae). This fungus reduced survival, development rate, adult length and fecundity of D. pteronyssinus. Detrimental effects of A. penicillioides were proportional to the fungal density. Despite the antagonistic effects of A. penicillioides, a requirement for the fungus was indicated by the poor performance of fungus-free mites in the second generation; sustained culture of D. pteronyssinus in the absence of fungi is probably not possible. It is suggested that fungi may alter the particulate nature of the substratum to the detriment of house dust mites, but also provide micronutrients deficient in the diet.