Bdellidae

Snout Mites

Bdellidae is a of moderate to large-sized predatory commonly known as snout mites. The family contains approximately 11 and at least 278 described worldwide. They are distinguished by their elongated, snout-like gnathosoma and elbowed bearing two long (one in the genus Monotrichobdella). Members inhabit diverse environments including soil, leaf litter, vegetation, and intertidal zones.

Bdellinae by (c) Pete Lypkie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pete Lypkie. Used under a CC-BY license.

Odontoscirinae by (c) Pete Lypkie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pete Lypkie. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bdellidae: /ˈdɛlɪˌdaɪ/

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Identification

Easily recognized by the combination of an elongated, snout-like gnathosoma and elbowed bearing two long . The Monotrichobdella is distinguished by having only one terminal seta on the pedipalp. -level identification requires examination of genital system anatomy and structure.

Images

Appearance

to large-sized with an elongated, snout-like gnathosoma. are elbowed and bear two long (reduced to one in Monotrichobdella). Body form adapted for predatory lifestyle.

Habitat

Soil, leaf litter, leaves, and intertidal rocks. Occupies both terrestrial and coastal intertidal environments.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution. Documented from Europe, Morocco, Australia, South Africa, China, and Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden). Specific distribution varies by ; some have been to new regions for purposes.

Diet

Predatory. Known to on , including (). Some appear able to utilize alternative food sources during periods of prey scarcity.

Life Cycle

Development includes and active stages. Eggs are deposited at sheltered sites using an . Egg varies among : typically spiny, globular, and reddish; flat lenticular in Biscirus; thin-shelled globular with protective covering in Spinibdella cronini; globular tuberculated whitish without in Bdellodes longirostris. Eggs can mature without insemination. Complete ontogeny described for Bdella muscorum.

Behavior

that actively pursue . Some have been employed as agents against agricultural pests.

Ecological Role

of small , particularly . Some function as agents in agricultural systems, with documented cases of introduction to new regions (Australia, South Africa) to manage pest .

Human Relevance

Used in programs against the (), an agricultural pest. Neomolgus capillatus and Bdellodes lapidaria have been to new regions specifically for this purpose.

Similar Taxa

CunaxidaeAlso snout with elongated gnathosoma; distinguished by different structure and setation patterns

More Details

Taxonomic Changes

Rigibdella Tseng, 1978 has been synonymized with Cyta von Heyden, 1826, and Bdellodes Oudemans, 1937 has been synonymized with Odontoscirus Thor, 1913.

Reproductive Biology

Insemination occurs via with three distinct : simple non-covered sperm drops in Cyla latirostris; and two covered types in Spinibdellinae and Bdellinae/Odontoscirinae respectively. A 'penis' is extruded during spermatophore deposition in Bdellinae and Odontoscirinae. Female genital system includes seminis for sperm uptake (absent in Cyla latirostris).