Efficient laboratory maintenance of blood-feeding mesostigmatid mites (Acari)

A technique is described for colonizing hematophagous mesostigmatid (= gamasid) mites under laboratory conditions. The apparatus consisted of a 473-ml (1 pint) Mason jar with sterilized surgical gauze and corrugated card placed inside on the bottom; these functioned as absorbent and mite bedding materials, respectively. A suckling mouse was placed onto the surgical gauze for 2-24 h to provide a food source for the mites. Stickem adhesive was smeared along the inside neck of the jar, which had a tight-fitting but ventilated screw-cap lid. The apparatus rested in a petri dish filled with water. This system provided excellent containment of the mites.