Images Dated 18th February 1999

SEM of a dust mite

Dust mite. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a dust mite (Dermatophagoides sp. ). Dust mites are tiny arachnids which live in houses and eat the shed flakes of human skin which comprise a large amount of house dust. They are related to spiders and scorpions. They are invisible due to their small size, but even the cleanest house harbours many thousands living in furniture and fabrics. The head of this mite is at lower left. Its rounded body has several touch-sensitive hairs projecting from it, which act in the same way as cats whiskers. Their dead bodies and excrement can cause asthma and allergic reactions to house- hold dust. Magnification: x170 at 6x7cm size

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