Which invertebrates are used in the production of Boule de Lille cheese?

• A. Silkworms
• B. Fruit flies
• C. Crabs
• D. Cheese mites or flour mites

Answer: (D)

Some cheeses rely on tiny arthropods living on the rind to finish maturation, and Boule de Lille is one of those that uses cheese mites to shape its rind and aroma. These mites—often referred to as cheese mites or flour mites (such as Tyrolichus casei or Acarus siro)—are introduced to the surface during aging. They nibble on the rind’s fatty compounds and create the distinctive texture and stronger flavors that develop in the cheese over time.

The other options don’t fit this production method. Silkworms are used to produce silk, not to ripen cheese. Fruit flies are mainly used in genetics and biology experiments. Crabs are crustaceans and unrelated to the cheese aging process. So the invertebrates actually involved here are the cheese mites.