It only grows to 0.1 to 0.6 mm in length, is white and has red legs.
Mites are generally very troublesome storage pests, because they are so small and hard to see.
During development into the adult mite they often pass through inactive stages, so that the larvae can survive long dry periods without food. Because flour mites belong to the family of mould mites, they thrive in warm and humid climates. The flour mites usually infest flour, muesli and other dry vegetable foods. The affected products seem to be covered by a coat of light-red dust, crumble, smell sweet and taste bitter. For instance if a cake doesn't rise, the cause can be mites in the flour used.