Raphignathoidea

Distinguished from other trombidiform superfamilies by the combination of: 2 pairs of vertical setae on the prodorsum (rarely 3), 2 pairs of scapular setae (rarely 1 or 3), and the typical separation of leg pairs II and III (except in Cryptognathidae and Raphignathidae where these legs are contiguous). Presence of eyes and postocular bodies in most species. Tarsal claws on legs.

Occupies diverse microhabitats including leaves, branches, tree bark, tree cavities, moss, lichen, animal nests, soil, leaf litter, house dust, and stored food products. Some species are aquatic or semi-aquatic (Homocaligidae, Stigmaeidae). Family Cryptognathidae occurs in damp edaphic habitats such as moss and also in low arboreal habitats. Specific habitat associations documented for Turkish species: moss and lichen for Caligonella haddadi, Neognathus terrestris, Cryptognathus lagena, Raphignathus gracilis, and Stigmaeus devlethanensis; litter, grassy and mossy soil for Favognathus amygdalus, F. cucurbita, Raphignathus kuznetzovi, Eustigmaeus dogani, E. pinnatus, E. segnis, Ledermuelleriopsis aminiae, L. ayyildizi, and Storchia robusta.

Abundant on most continents including Antarctica (e.g., Raphignathus johnstoni). Documented from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Turkey, New Zealand, Australia, Iran, Hawaii, and Crimea. Neotropical fauna relatively understudied. Species can be transported globally on agricultural produce.

In Pülümür Valley, Turkey, greatest abundance occurs in autumn, followed by spring, summer, and winter. Development from egg to adult generally requires 1-3 weeks depending on temperature and diet.

Many species are predators of small invertebrates including scale insect crawlers (Coccoidea), whiteflies (Aleyrodidae), caterpillars, and other mites. Some Stigmaeidae are herbivores feeding on moss. Some Xenocaligonellididae may be microherbivores feeding on substances on tree bark outer layers. Parasitic forms occur in Stigmaeidae, Dasythyreidae, and Dytiscacaridae.

• Actinidia deliciosa - habitat/occurrencekiwifruit; Cryptognathus species intercepted on imported produce
• Metrosideros polymorpha - habitat/occurrenceOhi'a; host for Cryptognathidae species
• Dytiscidae - parasitismDytiscacaridae are highly specialized parasites living beneath elytra of aquatic beetles
• Alaus myops - parasitismeyed-click beetle; host for Dasythyreidae species
• Phlebotominae - parasitismsandflies; Stigmaeidae found as parasites

Most species have five life stages: egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult. Some have additional stages: Agistemus exsertus has a prelarval stage; Raphignathus and Xenocaligonellididae have a third nymphal stage, the tritonymph. The egg stage has the longest duration. Males develop slightly faster than females. Females lay 1-4 eggs per day over 1-2 weeks depending on temperature and diet.

Mated females produce mostly female offspring (female-biased sex ratio). Unmated females produce male offspring only (arrhenotoky). Some species show potential for short-range endemism yet can be dispersed globally via agricultural produce transport.

Predatory species function as biological control agents of agricultural and forestry pests. Some families contribute to nutrient cycling in soil and moss habitats. Parasitic forms occupy specialized niches on insects and aquatic beetles.

Multiple species are commercially bred and released for biological pest control, targeting gall mites (Eriophyidae), spider mites (Tetranychidae), and scale insects in agriculture and forestry. Some species occur in house dust and stored food products. Potential for inadvertent global spread via agricultural trade.

• TetranychoideaBoth are superfamilies in Trombidiformes with oval body shapes, but Tetranychoidea (spider mites) have a retractable stylophore and lack the characteristic setal patterns and leg gap of Raphignathoidea
• EupodoideaBoth are prostigmatan superfamilies with similar habitats, but Eupodoidea typically have different cheliceral structures and lack the specific prodorsal setal arrangement of Raphignathoidea

• mites
• predatory
• biological control
• agricultural pest management
• soil fauna
• arboreal
• aquatic mites
• parasitic mites

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• A new species of Cryptognathus (Acariformes: Raphignathoidea: Cryptognathidae) intercepted from New Zealand kiwifruit
• <strong>Raphignathoidea of China: a review of research progress</strong>
• Multivariate analysis of the effects of site factors on the distributions of raphignathoid mites (Acari: Raphignathoidea)