Tetranychoidea
Tetranychoidea
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Arachnida
- Subclass: Acari
- Superorder: Acariformes
- Order: Trombidiformes
- Suborder: Prostigmata
- Infraorder: Eleutherengona
- Superfamily: Tetranychoidea
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tetranychoidea: //ˌtɛtrəˌnaɪˈkoʊɪdiə//
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Images
Summary
Tetranychoidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Trombidiformes, encompassing about 5 families and more than 2,200 species characterized by specific morphological traits and ecological roles as herbivores, with some species recognized as agricultural pests.
Physical Characteristics
Mites in Tetranychoidea have cheliceral bases fused into a stylophore, movable independently of the subcapitulum, and retractable into the prodorsum. They possess well-developed peritremes on the prodorsum, and true claws of the legs have tenent hairs. Males have aedeagi for sperm transfer, while the chelicerae resemble greatly elongated stylets with strongly recurved bases.
Identification Tips
Families can be differentiated based on the number and type of setae on the prodorsum, presence or absence of eyes, body shape, and palptibial claw characteristics.
Habitat
Typically found on agricultural and ornamental plants as herbivores.
Distribution
More than 2,200 described species suggest a widespread distribution in various habitats where their host plants are found.
Diet
Herbivores, primarily feeding on plant material.
Reproduction
Males transfer sperm to females directly using aedeagi.
Ecosystem Role
As herbivores, some species play a role in plant ecology and can affect plant health, making them significant in agricultural contexts.
Economic Impact
Some Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, and Tuckerellidae species are agricultural pests.
Similar Taxa
Tags
- mites
- Tetranychoidea
- arachnids
- agriculture
- herbivores