Parasitidae

A family of mites in the order Mesostigmata

Poecilochirus carabi, a species of mite in the family Parasitidae

Parasitidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata. These mites are known for their parasitic relationships with other arthropods, particularly insects. The family includes a variety of genera, with Poecilochirus being one of the more well-known due to its association with beetles.

Description

Members of the family Parasitidae are small to medium-sized mites, typically ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm in length. They possess a hard exoskeleton and are characterized by their well-developed legs and chelicerae, which they use for attachment and feeding on their hosts. The body is usually oval and flattened, allowing them to move easily through the substrate or on their hosts.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Parasitidae mites includes several stages: egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult. The deutonymph stage is often the most significant in terms of parasitism, as it is during this stage that the mites attach to their hosts for dispersal and feeding. The life cycle duration can vary depending on environmental conditions and the availability of hosts.

Ecology

Parasitidae mites are found in a variety of habitats, including soil, leaf litter, and decaying organic matter. They are often associated with insects such as beetles, where they can be found in the nests or on the bodies of their hosts. These mites play a role in controlling insect populations, as they can affect the reproductive success and survival of their hosts.

Behavior

Parasitidae mites exhibit a range of behaviors depending on their life stage and environmental conditions. As deutonymphs, they are often phoretic, meaning they use their hosts for transportation to new environments. This behavior is crucial for their dispersal and colonization of new habitats. Adult mites are typically free-living and can be found in the soil or on decaying organic matter, where they feed on small invertebrates and other organic material.

Significance

The family Parasitidae is of interest to researchers due to its ecological role in controlling insect populations and its potential use in biological control programs. Understanding the life cycle and behavior of these mites can aid in the development of strategies for managing pest populations in agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Related pages

• Mite
• Mesostigmata
• Phoresy
• Biological control