A genus of sarcoptoid mites commonly known as cheese mites which can cause scabies or itch in humans and mange and scab in other animals.

They infest cheese and dried vegetable food products and occasionally infest humans, causing pruritus or an intense itching sensation.

This genus includes species that cause grocer's itch, vanillism (irritation of the skin), and copra (dried kernel or meat of the coconut) itch.

1. One of the grain mite species that cause various forms of dermatitis resulting from infestation by grain mites in food and produce, which sensitizes and causes dermatitis on personnel who work with the storage and handling of certain food products.
2. Etymology: from Greek tyros, "cheese" + phago, "eat".