Eupodoidea

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eupodoidea: /juːpoʊˈdɔɪdiə/

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Summary

Eupodoidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Trombidiformes, comprising about 8 families and more than 160 described species. They are characterized by their coloration and specific morphological features, and they occupy a variety of habitats with diverse dietary habits.

Physical Characteristics

Eupodoids are soft-bodied mites that can be red, red and black, white or yellow in colour. They can be recognized by the small epivertical lobe on the propodosoma and rhagidial organs on the tarsi of the first two leg pairs.

Identification Tips

Look for the small epivertical lobe on the propodosoma and the presence of rhagidial organs on the tarsi of the first two leg pairs.

Habitat

Eupodoids occur in temperate grasslands, deserts (both hot and cold), alpine regions, and polar regions including tundra. They are less commonly found in marshes and heavily wooded areas, such as rainforests.

Diet

The superfamily includes fungivorous, phytophagous, and predatory species. Some families are specifically noted for their dietary habits: Cocceupodidae and Eupodidae are fungivorous, Penthaleidae are phytophagous (including crop pests), and Rhagidiidae are predators of small arthropods.

Ecosystem Role

Eupodoids play various roles in their ecosystems, including being fungivorous, phytophagous, and predators. This suggests they may be important for controlling populations of other small arthropods and in the decomposition of organic material.

Economic Impact

Some species in the Penthaleidae family are considered crop pests, indicating a potential negative economic impact on agriculture.

Tags

• Eupodoidea
• mites
• Trombidiformes
• arachnids
• ecosystem role
• crop pests