The Invisible World of Mites October 19, 2011

Does dust make you sneeze? You might not realize it, but many dust allergies are caused by dust mites. Mites are tiny insects that live all around us. There is plenty we don't know about mites because a microscope is usually needed to see them. The exhibit will feature a large panel display and a video kiosk highlighting the research of U-M biologist Barry OConnor. Professor OConnor is Curator of Insects and Arachnids in the Insect Division of the U-M Museum of Zoology and Professor in the U-M Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He has been studying the evolution and life styles of mites for several decades, and is particularly interested in how mites co-evolve with other organisms. Find out exactly how dust mites cause allergies in humans. Discover the whole sickening story.