Earth-mite
Guides
Penthaleidae
earth mites
Penthaleidae, commonly known as earth mites, is a family of mites in the order Trombidiformes. The family is distributed globally across every continent. In southern Australia, several species are major agricultural pests, causing damage to winter crops and pastures. The family contains approximately 30 described species across seven genera, including economically significant species such as *Halotydeus destructor* (the redlegged earth mite) and *Penthaleus major* (the blue oat mite).
Penthaleus
earth mites
Penthaleus is a genus of earth mites in the family Penthaleidae, established by Carl Ludwig Koch in 1835. The genus contains 13 described species distributed across every continent except Antarctica. Members are significant agricultural pests, particularly in southern Australia where they damage winter crops and pastures. The genus includes the winter grain mite (P. major), a notable pest of small grains.