Population dynamics of house dust mites (Acari : Pyroglyphidae) in Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain)

Fifteen houses in three different areas of Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain) were sampled during a year, in order to analyse the distribution an d abundance of house dust mites. In each house, a mattress and living room were sampled. House dust mites were present in every house, with more than 100 mites per gram of dust. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the most pre valent species (75 %), followed by Euroglyphus maynei (13 %) and D. farinae (6.2 %). D. farinae was better represented in the urban zone than in the r ural zone, Differences in relative humidity levels recorded between these h abitats might explain this distribution.