Antennophoridae

Antennophorids can be distinguished from other mesostigmatid mites by their association with ant hosts and specialized morphological adaptations for this lifestyle, including elongated front legs used for host communication. The family is placed in the infraorder Antennophorina based on these specialized antenniform leg structures.

Ant nests, specifically within colonies of host ant species. Documented associations include Lasius flavus nests.

Records from Denmark (DK) and Sweden (SE) in GBIF; specific distribution data for the family as a whole is limited. Host ant distributions likely constrain mite ranges.

• Lasius flavus - ectoparasiteDocumented host of Antennophorus grandis; mites ride under the head of workers and receive food through trophallaxis stimulation

Mites ride on host ant workers, typically attaching to the petiole or gaster. They use long front legs to tactilely stimulate hosts to provide food. Mites frequently transfer between hosts during close contact such as trophallaxis. Populations are small with female-biased sex ratios, consistent with local mate competition.

Ectoparasite of ants. Mites may impact host colony dynamics by inhibiting social behaviors in parasitized workers, such as larval tending.

• Other Mesostigmata familiesAntennophoridae is distinguished by obligate ant association and antenniform front legs; other mesostigmatids may be free-living, associated with different hosts, or lack the specialized leg structures for host communication

• mites
• parasites
• ants
• ectoparasites
• myrmecophiles

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Studies on the relationship between the ant ectoparasite Antennophorus grandis (Acarina: Antennophoridae) and its host Lasius flavus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)