The microscopic mite Lorryia formosa (Tydeidae)

Mites, along with ticks, are small arthropods belonging to the subclass Acari (also known as Acarina) and the class Arachnida. The scientific discipline devoted to the study of ticks and mites is called acarology.

Diversity and systematics[link]

Lime nail galls on Tilia × europaea, caused by the mite Eriophyes tiliae

Mites are among the most diverse and successful of all the invertebrate groups. They have exploited an incredible array of habitats, and because of their small size (most are microscopic) go largely unnoticed. Many live freely in the soil or water, but there are also a large number of species that live as parasites on plants, animals, and some that feed on mold. It is estimated that 48,200 species of mites have been described.^[1]

Some of the plant pests include the so-called spider mites (family Tetranychidae), thread-footed mites (family Tarsonemidae), and the gall mites (family Eriophyidae). Among the species that attack animals are members of the sarcoptic mange mites (family Sarcoptidae), which burrow under the skin. Demodex mites (family Demodicidae) are parasites that live in or near the hair follicles of mammals, including humans. Acari are mites, except for the three families of ticks. Perhaps the best-known mite, though, is the house dust mite (family Pyroglyphidae).

Insects may also have parasitic mites. Examples are Varroa destructor, which attaches to the body of the honeybee, and Acarapis woodi (family Tarsonemidae), which lives in the tracheae of honey bees. There are hundreds of species of mites associated with other bee species, and most are poorly described and understood. Some are thought to be parasites, while others beneficial symbionts.

The tropical species Archegozetes longisetosus is one of the strongest animals in the world, relative to its mass (100 μg): It lifts up to 1,182 times its own weight, over five times more than would be expected of such a minute animal.^[2]

Medical significance[link]

Sarcoptes scabiei, the cause of scabies

Dust mites cause several forms of allergic diseases, including hay fever, asthma and eczema and are known to aggravate atopic dermatitis.^[3] Mites are usually found in warm and humid locations, including beds. It is thought that inhalation of mites during sleep exposes the human body to some antigens that eventually induce hypersensitivity reaction.^[4] Dust mite allergens are thought to be among the heaviest dust allergens.^[5]

Like most of the other types of allergy, treatment of mite allergy starts with avoidance. There is a strong body of evidence showing that avoidance should be helpful in patients with atopic dermatitis triggered by exposure to mites.^[6] Regular washing of mattresses and blankets with hot water can help in this regard.^[7] Antihistamines are also useful; Cetirizine, for example, is shown to reduce allergic symptoms of patients.^[8]

However, not all types of mites are infectious to humans, such as Alaskozetes antarcticus, an Arctic mite.^[6] For the ones that do infest humans an antiparasitic insecticide such as benzyl benzoate or sulphur in the form of sulphur soap^[9] or sulphur powder^[10][11] is generally used to control and eliminate the mite population.

See also[link]

Arthropods portal

• Grain itch
• Grocer's itch
• Copra itch
• Gamasoidosis
• Chigger bite

References[link]

External links[link]

• Bitingmites.org: What's biting you?
• Michael F. Potter. "Parasitic mites of humans". University of Kentucky. http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef637.asp. 
• Red velvet mite – Trombidium sp. diagnostic photographs
• Worldwide honey bee decline due to mite infestations – article, photographs
• Mites and Ticks chapter in United States Environmental Protection Agency and University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences National Public Health Pesticide Applicator Training Manual
• Mites at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

v t e Acari (ticks and mites) Acariformes Trombidiformes Sphaerolichida Prostigmata Sarcoptiformes Endeostigmata Oribatida Parasitiformes Opilioacariformes Opilioacaridae Holothyrida Allothyridae Holothyridae Neothyridae Ixodida (ticks) Argasidae Ixodidae Nuttalliellidae Mesostigmata Sejida Sejoidea Trigynaspida Cercomegistoidea Antennophoroidea Celaenopsoidea Fedrizzioidea Megisthanoidea Parantennuloidea Aenictequoidea Monogynaspida Microgynioidea Heatherelloidea Thinozerconoidea Polyaspidoidea Uropodoidea Trachyuropodoidea Diarthrophalloidea Epicrioidea Zerconoidea Arctacaroidea Parasitoidea Veigaioidea Rhodacaroidea Eviphidoidea Ascoidea Phytoseioidea Dermanyssoidea

Walter Flanagan (born October 23, 1967) is a comic book store proprietor, reality TV star, podcaster, comic book artist, actor and songwriter. Flanagan is a long-time friend of Kevin Smith, and (according to Smith's book Silent Bob Speaks) it was Flanagan who had turned Smith onto comic books.

Flanagan is co-host of the "Tell 'Em Steve-Dave!" podcast with longtime friends Bryan Johnson and Brian Quinn. Walter is also the lead star in AMC's "Comic Book Men", which premiered in February 2012.

Filmography[link]

• Clerks (1994): In Smith's debut movie, Flanagan was credited with four different roles (which made Kevin Smith, on the Clerks commentary, refer to Flanagan as "The Lon Chaney, Sr. of the [19]90's"). Among these were the egg-obsessed guidance counselor, the cigarette protester who bought the cigarettes immediately after the protest, the customer offended by the lewd "jizz mopper" discussion, and the customer to whom Randal said the resident cat's name was "Annoying Customer." He also designed the clown animation that made up the View Askew logo, and appeared in the Soul Asylum video for "Can't Even Tell", directed by Kevin Smith.

• Mallrats (1995): Flanagan played perhaps his most well-known and most recurring role of Walt Grover the Fanboy. Fanboy is known for accompanying his friend Steve-Dave (Bryan Johnson) at all times and agreeing with everything he has to say with his trademark phrase "Tell 'em, Steve-Dave!" He also appears in an uncredited role as one of Mr. Svenning's (Michael Rooker) assistants who places a podium in the wrong place on a stage. He was also given a credit for being a set production assistant on Mallrats. Also, when Jay and Silent Bob are running away from the mall-cop LaFours, they meet up with Brodie and T.S. who are in the food court and succeed in evading LaFours by ducking under their table. When Jay gets up, he laments: "Damn, that bastard's faster than Walt Flanagan's dog!" When Brodie and T.S. are at the swap meet and Brodie says, "People know me here. See," "Hey Walt!", "Brodie!".

• Chasing Amy (1997): Flanagan did not appear in the theatrical cut, but was in a deleted scene (again as Walt Grover the Fanboy) alongside Johnson's Steve-Dave. Despite this, his dog is yet again mentioned in one of the "Bluntman and Chronic" pages during the opening. In another deleted scene Banky (Jason Lee), and Holden (Ben Affleck) toss a trash can through the window of Steve-Dave's comic store, the check attached is for 3 times the cost of replacing the window. This was all for Steve-Dave and Walt The Fan Boy bashing Bluntman and Chronic.

• Dogma (1999): Flanagan appeared as Fanboy alongside Steve-Dave protesting the abortion clinic where Bethany works.

• Vulgar (2000): He appeared in Bryan Johnson's film Vulgar as a Caddy.

• Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001): Fanboy and Steve-Dave appeared as two of the audience members who walk out and bash the Bluntman and Chronic movie.

• Clerks: The Animated Series: Flanagan also made an appearance as Fanboy alongside Steve-Dave (played by Bryan Johnson) in three episodes of the Clerks cartoon, none of which were aired during the series original run.

• Clerks II (2006): Flanagan appears as a customer, reprising one of his roles from Clerks.

• Down in the Boondocks (2008): Flanagan appears briefly in this short filmed by Miles Trahan.

Comic books[link]

He has provided the art for two comic books published by IDW and written by Bryan Johnson, as well as two for DC Comics:

• Karney (2005)^[1]
• War of the Undead (2007)^[2]
• Batman: Cacophony limited series, written by Kevin Smith.
• Batman: The Widening Gyre First 6 parts of a twelve part series, with writer/friend Kevin Smith.

Awards & Recognition[link]

• Tell 'Em Steve-Dave! - iTunes Top 25 Podcasts of 2010
• Tell 'Em Steve-Dave! - Winner 2010 Podcast Awards - Category: People's Choice
• Tell 'Em Steve-Dave! - Winner 2010 Podcast Awards - Category: Comedy

Cultural references[link]

Walt Flanagan has also been the subject of a few inside jokes in the Askewniverse movies. In Clerks and Mallrats, respectively, both Randal and Brodie tell bizarre stories of their cousin Walter. Seeing as Randal and Brodie are supposed to be cousins themselves according to Smith, one would only assume that they are speaking of the same cousin Walter.

Also, in Mallrats, Jay makes the comment "Damn, that bastard's faster than Walt Flanagan's dog." This comment is expanded upon in the comic book prequel to Mallrats starring Jay and Silent Bob, where they get Walt's dog high. When provoked, Krypto (the dog) hops the fence, and chases the stoner duo across Leonardo township (passing the YMCA where Julie Dwyer has just met her untimely demise).

According to the Mallrats commentary, Smith cites Flanagan as being the influence for the Brodie character, down to the Dixie Cup full of soda that the character carries with him everywhere as well as the October birth date. Walt also originated the character of Olaf, seen in Clerks as Silent Bob's cousin from Russia.

He was also referenced by name in issue #3 of the Green Arrow story "Quiver", which Kevin Smith wrote.^[3]

Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash[link]

Flanagan currently manages Kevin Smith's comic book store, Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, in Red Bank, New Jersey. He and Johnson (who managed Smith's second store West Coast Stash located in L.A. until November 2007) also can be seen manning the "View Askew" booth at various comic conventions around the country.

Personal life[link]

He is married to Debra Flanagan and has two daughters.^[4]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Walt Flanagan at the Internet Movie Database
• Tell 'Em Steve Dave! official site
• AMC official Comic Book Men site