Db. Hay, AN IN-SITU CORING TECHNIQUE FOR ESTIMATING THE POPULATION-SIZE OF HOUSE-DUST MITES IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT, Acarologia, 36(4), 1995, pp. 341-345
An in situ core sampling method was used to obtain absolute population
density estimates for the mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Troues
sart (Acari : Pyroglyphidae) in the mattress habitat. At the 95% fiduc
ial limit the numbers of D. pteronyssinus in the top 1.5 cm of substra
ta were 8,200-26,800 mites m(-2). Mite densities that were calculated
from vacuum samples of the same habitat underestimated the abundance o
f D. pteronyssinus by more than three orders of magnitude. Vacuuming d
id not detect all mite species inhabiting the mattress, and eggs and i
mmature mites were under-represented in vacuum samples. The importance
of absolute population estimates versus relative estimates of abundan
ce and population density indices is discussed, and a number of ways i
n which the core sampling approach may contribute to future house dust
mite research are suggested.