Acariformes
Guides
Abrolophinae
Abrolophinae is a subfamily of mites in the family Erythraeidae, order Trombidiformes. These mites belong to the diverse group of prostigmatic mites, which includes many predatory and parasitic species. The subfamily was established by Witte in 1995 and is characterized by specific morphological features distinguishing it from other erythraeid subfamilies. Members of this group are relatively poorly studied compared to some other mite taxa.
Acaridia
Acaridia is a zoosubsection within the suborder Astigmatina (order Sarcoptiformes), encompassing a diverse group of mites commonly referred to as acarid mites. The group includes at least 136 species in 50 genera and 14 families documented in China alone, with substantial diversity also recorded in other regions. These mites are predominantly synanthropic, occurring in human-associated environments such as stored products, barns, and dwellings. Research has documented significant altitudinal variation in species diversity, with higher richness at lower elevations.
Alycidae
Alycidae is a family of mites in the suborder Endeostigmata, established by Canestrini and Fanzago in 1877. The family comprises at least six recognized genera: Alycus, Amphialycus, Coccalicus, Laminamichaelia, Orthacarus, and Petralycus. These mites belong to the primitive acariform group Endeostigmata, which retains ancestral characteristics. The family has been documented in northern European countries including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Epidermoptidae
Epidermoptidae is a family of acariform mites in the order Sarcoptiformes. Members are permanent ectoparasites of birds and mammals, inhabiting skin surfaces and subcutaneous tissues. Several species are nostril specialists. Some genera have evolved phoretic associations with louse flies (Hippoboscidae), and certain species hyperparasitise these carriers, using them for oviposition and feeding. The family shows broad geographic distribution with records from Europe, North America, Australia, and the Galápagos Islands.
Eustigmaeus
Eustigmaeus is a diverse genus of mites in the family Stigmaeidae containing more than 130 species with worldwide distribution across all zoogeographic regions except Antarctica. Species within this genus exhibit complex life cycles that may include an unusual tritonymphal stage, a trait documented in only two species within the family. Some species are associated with moss as a food source, while at least one species, E. johnstoni, has been recorded as an ectoparasite of sand flies. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features including specific arrangements of dorsal setae and shield structures.
Paraphanolophus
Paraphanolophus is a genus of erythraeid mites in the family Erythraeidae, first described by Smiley in 1968. Members of this genus are predatory mites belonging to the superfamily Erythraeoidea. The genus is characterized by specific morphological modifications of the palpal femur that distinguish it from related genera such as Phanolophus. As with other erythraeid mites, species in this genus are likely active predators in soil and leaf litter habitats, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Trombidiformes
Trombidiform Mites
Trombidiformes is a large, diverse order of mites within the subclass Acariformes, comprising approximately 25,821 described species across 151 families. The order is divided into two suborders: Sphaerolichida (two families) and Prostigmata (the majority, with four infraorders and 40 superfamilies). Members include medically significant species such as Demodex mites, chiggers (Trombiculidae), and scrub-itch mites, as well as agriculturally important groups like spider mites (Tetranychidae). The phylogenetic placement of the superfamily Eriophyoidea (gall mites) remains uncertain; recent molecular analyses suggest it may fall outside Trombidiformes, possibly related to Nematalycidae.
Tydeidae
Tydeidae is a family of soft-bodied mites in the order Trombidiformes, containing over 300 species across three subfamilies. These small arachnids exhibit diverse feeding strategies including scavenging, fungivory, predation, and plant feeding. They are among the most commonly encountered mites in arboreal habitats worldwide, with some species playing significant roles in agriculture as both pests and beneficial organisms.