Tydeidae

Subfamily determination requires examination of leg chaetotaxy and palptarsus structure: Pretydeinae lacks setae on genu of legs II-IV and has triple eupathidium on palptarsus; Tydeinae has 1-2 setae on genu of leg II with double or triple eupathidium; Australotydeinae has 3 setae on genu of leg II with double or triple eupathidium. Distinguished from related families Iolinidae and Triophtydeidae by cheliceral structure and historical subfamily placement.

Small, soft-bodied mites with muted coloration. The idiosoma (main body) displays striated, reticulated, or combined surface patterns. Possesses two bothridial setae (sensory hairs). Chelicerae have fused bases with a short, needle-like movable digit and reduced fixed digit. Eye number varies: two or three eyes present in some species, others completely eyeless.

Primarily arboreal: leaves, stems, tree trunks, canopy soils, fungal sporocarps, and nests. Also occurs in caves, soil, humus, litter, grasslands, straw, hay, and stored products. Some species inhabit beehives.

Worldwide distribution with records from Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden documented), though specific range limits not comprehensively mapped. Most commonly encountered in arboreal habitats across multiple continents.

Mixed feeding strategies documented: scavenging, fungivory (feeding on fungi), predation on small animals, and phytophagy (plant feeding including pollen). Some species feed on powdery mildew and downy mildew, suppressing these plant pathogens.

• Powdery mildew fungi - feeds onSome species suppress powdery mildew through feeding
• Downy mildew fungi - feeds onSome species suppress downy mildew through feeding
• Phytoseiid mites - preyed upon byVarious tydeid species are prey for predatory phytoseiid mites
• Bees (Apis spp.) - commensal or parasitic (uncertain)Several genera found in beehives; nature of relationship unresolved
• Citrus plants - feeds onTydeus californicus and Lorryia formosa damage citrus
• Humans and domestic animals - parasiticTydeus molestus causes itching and skin irritation

Developmental stages typical of Acariformes mites: egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult. Specific life cycle details and duration not documented in available sources.

Among the most commonly encountered mites in arboreal microhabitats. Some species demonstrate feeding behavior that suppresses fungal plant pathogens.

Decomposers (scavengers), fungivores, and predators in arboreal and soil ecosystems. Some species function as biological control agents by feeding on powdery mildew and downy mildew. Serve as prey for phytoseiid mites, forming part of food web connections between microarthropods.

Medical: Tydeus interruptus may serve as reservoir for scrapie-like agents; Tydeus molestus causes dermatological irritation in humans and domestic animals. Agricultural: Tydeus californicus and Lorryia formosa are citrus pests; conversely, some species benefit agriculture by suppressing powdery mildew and downy mildew. Beekeeping: presence in beehives noted, economic significance unclear.

• IolinidaeFormerly included subfamilies Pronematinae and Tydaeolinae now placed in Iolinidae; separation based on revised subfamily-level taxonomy
• TriophtydeidaeFormerly included subfamilies Edbakerellinae and Triophtydeinae now placed in Triophtydeidae; distinguished by taxonomic revision

• mites
• acariformes
• arboreal
• fungivore
• scavenger
• agricultural pest
• biological control

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life