Erythraeidae
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.
Abrolophus
Abrolophus is a genus of predatory mites in the family Erythraeidae, first described by Antonio Berlese in 1891. The genus comprises approximately 120 described species distributed across multiple continents. Species in this genus are free-living and belong to the subfamily Abrolophinae.
Balaustiinae
Balaustiinae is a subfamily of mites in the family Erythraeidae, within the order Trombidiformes. Members are predatory erythraeoid mites characterized by specific morphological features in their leg chaetotaxy and body setation patterns. The subfamily was established by Grandjean in 1947 and contains multiple genera distributed across various terrestrial habitats.
Balaustium
Sidewalk Mites
Balaustium is a genus of large, bright red mites in the family Erythraeidae, commonly known as sidewalk mites. These conspicuous arachnids are frequently observed in spring cruising pavement and stone surfaces for windblown pollen. Molecular evidence suggests well over 100 species occur in the U.S. and Canada alone, challenging earlier assumptions that most were introduced from Europe. The genus exhibits complex life cycles typical of Parasitengona mites, with distinct larval, nymphal, and adult stages showing different ecological habits.
Callidosoma
Callidosoma is a genus of mites in the family Erythraeidae, subfamily Callidosomatinae. Members are classified within the superfamily Erythraeoidea, a group of predatory mites commonly known as velvet mites or rain mites. The genus was established by Womersley in 1936 and is distributed across multiple continents. Erythraeid mites are generally characterized by their soft, often brightly colored bodies and active predatory habits.
Charletonia
Charletonia is a genus of erythraeid mites comprising approximately 86 described species based on larval morphology. The genus is globally distributed and comprises ectoparasitic mites whose larvae attach to arthropod hosts. Adult and nymphal stages are active predators, though less frequently encountered than the distinctive larval form. The genus was established by Oudemans in 1910 and belongs to the family Erythraeidae within the order Trombidiformes.
Curteria
Curteria is a genus of mites in the family Erythraeidae, described by Southcott in 1961. These mites belong to the superfamily Erythraeoidea, a group of predatory or parasitic trombidiform mites commonly known as velvet mites. The genus is part of the diverse prostigmatan mite fauna, with limited published information on its biology and species diversity. Records of this genus are sparse, with few documented observations.
Erythraeus tonsus
Erythraeus tonsus is a species of predatory mite in the family Erythraeidae, first described by L. Koch in 1879. Like other erythraeid mites, it belongs to a group of active, fast-moving predators found in terrestrial habitats. The species has been recorded across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Erythraeid mites are generally recognized for their elongated body form and long legs adapted for cursorial (running) locomotion.
Erythraxus
Erythraxus is a genus of mites in the family Erythraeidae, established by Southcott in 1961. These mites belong to the order Trombidiformes, a diverse group of arachnids commonly known as "true mites." Members of the family Erythraeidae are typically predatory in their active post-larval stages, though specific details about Erythraxus biology remain poorly documented. The genus is rarely encountered in scientific literature and field observations.
Lasioerythraeus
Lasioerythraeus is a genus of mites in the family Erythraeidae, described by Welbourn and Young in 1987. The genus belongs to the subfamily Erythraeinae within the superfamily Erythraeoidea. Members of this genus are predatory mites in the order Trombidiformes. The genus has been documented in iNaturalist with 59 observations, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists.
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.