Blattisociidae

Garman, 1948

Genus Guides

2

Blattisociidae is a of predatory and fungivorous mites in the order Mesostigmata, historically grouped with Ascidae and Melicharidae due to morphological similarity. The family contains approximately 14 and occurs in diverse including soil, stored products, insect nests, flowers, and fungi. Many engage in phoresis, attaching to insects and other animals for . Several species have been investigated as potential agents of pest mites and insects.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Blattisociidae: //ˌblætɪsɔːˈsɪɪdiː//

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Identification

shield entire or laterally incised, bearing 18–43 pairs of setae. Female with usually more than four pairs of marginal setae on soft lateral . Palptarsal apotele two-tined. Fixed cheliceral digit with setiform pilus dentilis. Peritreme usually extending from stigma at least to level of s2, anteriorly with dorsal shield and broadly fused with exopodal shield beside IV (except in Fungiseius clavulisetis). Female spermathecal apparatus of phytoseiid-type (except in Zercoseius). Male spermatodactyl at least as long as movable cheliceral digit.

Habitat

Soil, humus, leaf litter, stored food products, insect nests, flowers, fungi, and decaying wood. Some are associated with specific microhabitats: Lasioseius boleti occurs on polypore fungi and beneath of mycophagous beetles; Cheiroseius species are found in wet including aquatic vegetation; some tropical species inhabit furled leaves of Heliconia and related Zingiberales.

Distribution

with highest in the Neotropical and Panamanian regions (Central America, Caribbean, South America), suggesting possible origin in this area. Documented from China (56 ), United States of America, Ecuador, India, Poland, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Slovakia, and other regions. Approximately 44% of countries lack records, likely due to inadequate sampling.

Diet

and fungivores, with some parasitic . Blattisocius mali preys on and of acarid mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae), spider mites, , and fruit flies. Some species feed on and eggs. Fungivorous species consume wood-decomposing fungi.

Host Associations

  • Tyrophagus putrescentiae - preyacarid mite, and males consumed by Blattisocius mali
  • Diaperis boleti - phoretic Lasioseius boleti lives beneath of this tenebrionid
  • Cynara scolymus - Lasioseius cynari collected from globe artichoke leaves
  • Cynara cardunculus - Lasioseius cynari collected from artichoke thistle leaves
  • Drosophila melanogaster - phoretic /Blattisocius mali attaches to and feeds ectoparasitically
  • Drosophila hydei - phoretic /Blattisocius mali attaches but less successfully than on D. melanogaster
  • Cephaloleia - phoretic hispine beetles in furled Heliconia leaves, -specific associations
  • Chelobasis - phoretic hispine beetles in furled Heliconia leaves
  • Sphenophorus levis - associatedsugarcane weevil, Lasioseius prorsoperitrematus reported from Brazil
  • Scyphophorus acupunctatus - associatedagave weevil, new Lasioseius described from this association
  • Carabidae - phoretic Krantzoseius walteri live beneath of carabid beetles
  • Tipulidae - phoretic Cheiroseius phoretic on crane flies
  • Hummingbirds - phoretic flower-associated blattisociids use hummingbirds for
  • Fomitopsis betulina - polypore fungus hosting Lasioseius boleti
  • Laetiporus sulphureus - polypore fungus hosting Lasioseius boleti
  • Cerioporus squamosus - polypore fungus hosting Lasioseius boleti
  • Fomitopsis pinicola - red-belted bracket fungus, for Hoploseius
  • Salvinia - floating aquatic plant, for Cheiroseius luizgonzagai

Life Cycle

Development includes , larva, , deutonymph, and stages. Duration of stages and adult lifespan reported for only 16 of approximately 400 . Low temperatures prolong lifespan and developmental duration. Temperature, diet, and significantly affect parameters. Some Lasioseius species exhibit larviparity, with adult females gravid with fully developed larvae.

Behavior

Active with temperature-dependent functional responses. Blattisocius mali exhibits Type II at lower humidity (33%) and Type III at higher humidity (52–92%), with highest at 92% humidity. Functional response type varies with prey stage: Type III when preying on , Type II when preying on males. Handling time decreases and attack rate increases at higher temperatures (25–35°C). Engages in phoresis on diverse including beetles, flies, and birds. Some move freely on and off phoretic hosts when exposed from concealed .

Ecological Role

of pest mites, insects, and in soil, stored products, and agricultural systems. Potential agents for acarid mites, spider mites, , and pests. Fungivorous contribute to decomposition of wood-decaying fungi. Phoretic relationships facilitate among patchy .

Human Relevance

Investigated as agents for stored product pests and agricultural pests. Blattisocius mali shows promise for control of mould mites, spider mites, , and fruit flies. Some intercepted in on imported plant material, indicating potential for accidental transport.

Similar Taxa

  • AscidaeHistorically grouped together with Blattisociidae as single ; separated based on detailed morphological characters including peritreme fusion patterns and spermathecal structure
  • MelicharidaeThird formerly included in Ascidae; distinguished by morphological features and ecological associations, though specific diagnostic differences require detailed examination

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