Dust Mites
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Description
Dust mites are present in almost every home – in our beds, clothing and carpets. Conservatively, at least 100 million people are affected by house dust mite allergy worldwide, manifesting itself as asthma, rhinitis or atopic dermatitis. Despite the growing recognition of this major public health problem, there is still no simple, effective, generally applicable strategy for dust mite control.
Dust Mites incorporates for the first time in a single volume the topics of systematics and identification, physiology, ecology, allergen biochemistry and molecular biology, epidemiology, mite control and allergen avoidance. It explains key biological and ecological concepts for non-specialist readers, discusses ecological research methods and includes identification keys to dust mite species and life-cycle stage. It also explores how characteristics of population growth, water balance and physiology of dust mites have contributed to their importance as allergenic organisms.
Many chapters contain new data, or new analyses of existing data, including global distribution maps of the most important species. Importantly, the book emphasises that studies of the biology and ecology of house dust mites should be regarded within the context of allergic disease rather than as ends in themselves, and that approaches to mite control in clinical management are subject to the same series of ecological rules as any other major problem in pest management.
This comprehensive reference is essential reading for anyone involved or interested in house dust mite research and management.
Listen to Matt Colloff interviewed on AM (ABC Radio National) about Dust Mites.
Vodcast
Interview with Dr Matthew Colloff
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- Comprehensive coverage of the biology and ecology of dust mites
- Many chapters contain new data, or new analyses of existing data (including global distribution maps of the most important species)
- No similar book exists
- Explains key biological and ecological concepts for non-specialist readers
- Explores how characteristics of population growth, water balance and physiology of dust mites have contributed to their importance as allergenic organisms
- Includes chapters on ecological research methods and identification keys to dust mite species and life-cycle stage
Sample
View a sample from Dust Mites.
Reviews
"The author not only brings together what seems to be everything ever published on dust mites, but also presents new analyses of these data, is unafraid to give his opinion on controversial matters such as the non-allergic disorders, and provides comprehensive and reasoned answers to questions in the field. This handsome book is a well-written, comprehensive text and essential reference on one of the most important areas of mite research."
Own Seeman, Australian Journal of Entomology, Vol 49, 2010
"…this book is indeed significant, of interest well beyond the acarologist or medical entomologist specialist readership the title might imply, and includes all that one might wish to discover about dust mites. It is encylopedic in scope but far from a ‘dry text’, and is engagingly written. Each of the main chapters contains considerable background for non-specialist readers-so that, for example, the initial chapter on taxonomy is one of the clearest expositions of the discipline I have ever encountered.
The book is very well-illustrated and produced, and is sure to be regarded as the classic in its field."
T.R New, Journal of Insect Conservation, 2009
"Dust Mites by Matthew J Colloff is a key reference work that provides a unique insight into the biology of dust mites. The book is very well illustrated, truly comprehensive, and has an extensive bibliography. The identification keys are also very comprehensive and will be of great value to mite taxonomists. This book is beautifully written and also accessible to the lay reader. Dr. Colloff is to be congratulated on his achievement in making such a vast body of knowledge so readily available."
Ian Thompson, Tarsus No.588, September 2009
Author Information
Matthew Colloff is a senior research scientist with CSIRO Entomology based in Canberra, Australia. He has studied the biology and ecology of dust mites for the last 25 years, focussing on factors affecting their global distribution and abundance, as well as methods for dust mite control. When not working on dust mites, he researches the ecology and management of Australian native vegetation communities.
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