Mites
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.
Acaridae
Stored Products Mites, Mold Mites, Grain Mites
Acaridae is a family of mites in the order Sarcoptiformes, commonly known as stored products mites or mold mites. The family includes over 400 species across multiple genera, with cosmopolitan distributions. Many species are generalists inhabiting both natural environments (soil, litter, animal nests, decomposing plant material) and artificial environments (human dwellings, granaries, greenhouses). Several genera contain significant agricultural and stored product pests, including *Acarus*, *Tyrophagus*, and *Rhizoglyphus*, which cause economic damage to crops, bulbs, and stored foodstuffs.
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.
Acariformes
Actinotrichida
Acariformes is one of two superorders of mites, representing the more diverse lineage with over 32,000 described species in 351 families and an estimated total of 440,000–929,000 species. Recent phylogenomic analyses indicate Acariformes is the most deeply rooted chelicerate lineage, rendering the traditional grouping of all mites into a single taxon scientifically problematic. The superorder comprises two main clades: Sarcoptiformes (including Oribatida and Astigmatina) and Trombidiformes, with the enigmatic Endeostigmata representing primitive forms of uncertain placement.
Achipterioidea
Achipterioidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites (Oribatida) within the order Sarcoptiformes. These mites are part of the diverse soil-dwelling microarthropod fauna. The superfamily was established by Thor in 1929 and is classified within the infraorder Brachypylina and the group Poronoticae.
Adenosejus
Adenosejus is a genus of mites in the family Sejidae, order Mesostigmata. It was described in 2004 by Lekveishvili and Krantz. The genus belongs to the cohort Sejina, a group of large, heavily sclerotized mites often associated with soil and decomposing organic matter. As a recently described genus with limited subsequent study, its biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
Algophagidae
Algophagidae is a family of astigmatid mites containing approximately 5 genera and at least 10 described species. Members inhabit specialized microhabitats including tree sap fluxes, water-filled treeholes, and sub-Antarctic moss or algal beds. Several species exhibit complex life histories with facultative deutonymph stages that may be phoretic or non-phoretic depending on environmental conditions. The family shows notable morphological plasticity related to habitat occupation.
Allothrombium
Sumo Mites
Allothrombium is a genus of velvet mites (family Trombidiidae) comprising approximately 45 described species distributed across the Palaearctic, Ethiopian, Australian, Oriental, and Nearctic realms. Species in this genus exhibit complex life cycles involving parasitic larvae and predatory post-larval stages. Larvae are ectoparasites primarily of aphids, while deutonymphs and adults are free-living predators of small arthropods and their eggs. Several species have been investigated as potential biological control agents for agricultural pest aphids.
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.
Amphotis
sap-feeding beetles
Amphotis is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed across Europe and North America. At least one species, A. marginata, has been documented as a phoretic host for mites in European Russia.
Analgoidea
feather mites
Analgoidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Sarcoptiformes, comprising feather mites that live as permanent ectosymbionts on birds. Members occupy specific microhabitats on host plumage, with distributions influenced by feather morphology, aerodynamic forces, and host behavior. The superfamily includes approximately 15 families and shows high host specificity, with multiple species often coexisting on individual birds through niche partitioning.
Antennophoridae
Antennophoridae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata, comprising five genera and nine recognized species. Members are obligate ectoparasites of ants, with Antennophorus grandis being the best-studied species. These mites ride on host workers, using specialized front legs to solicit food through tactile communication.
Antennophorina
Antennophorina is an infraorder of mites within Mesostigmata, comprising at least four families (Antennophoridae, Diplogyniidae, Euzerconidae, Megisthanidae) and over 20 described species. Members of this group are primarily symbionts of beetles, with documented associations to large carabid beetles and occasional records from tenebrionid beetles. The genus Micromegistus (family Parantennulidae) represents the best-studied element, inhabiting the subelytral space of host beetles in Australia and New Zealand.
Antennophoroidea
Antennophoroidea is a superfamily of mites within the order Mesostigmata, suborder Trigynaspida. Members of this group are primarily associated with insects, often exhibiting parasitic or phoretic relationships with ant, bee, and wasp hosts. The superfamily is characterized by specialized morphological adaptations for clinging to host antennae and other body parts. It represents a relatively small but ecologically distinctive lineage within the diverse mite fauna.
Anystidae
whirligig mites
Anystidae is a family of predatory mites comprising over 100 species, commonly known as whirligig mites. They are active generalist predators found in soils and on vegetation worldwide. The family includes notable genera such as Anystis, Tarsotomus, and Chaussieria. Several species have been investigated for biological control potential against agricultural pests including thrips, aphids, and spider mites.
Anystina
Anystina is an infraorder of mites within the suborder Prostigmata (Trombidiformes). This group includes several families of relatively active, often predatory mites. Members are characterized by features of the gnathosoma and leg chaetotaxy that distinguish them from other prostigmatan lineages. The infraorder encompasses taxa such as Anystidae and related families, many of which occupy soil, leaf litter, and vegetation habitats.
Arctacaridae
Arctacaridae is a small family of mites in the order Mesostigmata, discovered and described by Evans in 1955 from arctic regions of North America. The family contains two genera, Arctacarus and Proarctacarus, with six recognized species total. These mites are among the few mesostigmatid lineages specifically adapted to cold, high-latitude environments. The genus Proarctacarus was established in 2003 based on specimens from Canada and the northwestern United States.
Astigmata
Astigmata is a diverse suborder of mites characterized by the absence of stigmata (respiratory openings) and tracheal systems. The group encompasses three major ecological radiations: permanent ectosymbionts of birds (feather mites), inhabitants of decaying organic matter and stored products, and parasites of vertebrates and arthropods. Feather mites represent the most species-rich component, with three superfamilies (Analgoidea, Pterolichoidea, Freyanoidea) colonizing all feather types of birds worldwide. Many non-feather-associated lineages exhibit a specialized dispersal stage, the heteromorphic deutonymph (hypopus), adapted for phoretic transport on arthropods. The suborder shows remarkable morphological and ecological diversification, with life cycles ranging from entirely host-bound to complex multi-habitat strategies.
Avenzoariidae
feather mites
Avenzoariidae is a family of feather mites in the order Astigmata, comprising at least 15 genera. These mites are ectoparasites or commensals inhabiting the feathers of birds, with documented associations primarily involving aquatic birds including seabirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl. One species has been recorded from birds of prey. The family includes subfamilies such as Bonnetellinae and Pteronyssinae, with genera including Zachvatkinia and Zygepigynia.
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.
Blattisociidae
Blattisociidae is a family of predatory and fungivorous mites in the order Mesostigmata, historically grouped with Ascidae and Melicharidae due to morphological similarity. The family contains approximately 14 genera and occurs in diverse habitats including soil, stored products, insect nests, flowers, and fungi. Many species engage in phoresis, attaching to insects and other animals for dispersal. Several species have been investigated as potential biological control agents of pest mites and insects.
Boletoglyphus
Boletoglyphus is a genus of mites in the family Acaridae, established by Volgin in 1953. The genus contains four described species: B. cribrosus, B. boletophagi, B. ornatus, and B. extremiorientalis. The specific epithet "boletophagi" and genus name suggest an association with boletes (fungi in the family Boletaceae), though this relationship has not been formally documented in the available literature. These mites belong to the order Sarcoptiformes, which includes many stored-product and fungal-feeding mites.
Caeculidae
rake-legged mites
Caeculidae, commonly called rake-legged mites, is a family of large prostigmatic mites (750–3000 µm) and the sole family of the superfamily Caeculoidea. The family contains approximately 100 described species in seven genera distributed worldwide, with the oldest fossil records dating to the Cenomanian (approximately 100 million years ago) in Burmese amber. These mites are specialized ambush predators of arid environments, using modified forelegs to capture prey.
Caeculoidea
rake-legged mites
Caeculoidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Trombidiformes, containing the single family Caeculidae. These arachnids are commonly known as rake-legged mites due to their distinctive leg modifications. The group comprises approximately 9 genera and 100 described species with a worldwide distribution. Fossil evidence extends back to the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous), with specimens preserved in Burmese amber.
Caeculus
rake-legged mites
Caeculus is a genus of large prostigmatic mites in the family Caeculidae, commonly known as rake-legged mites. The genus contains approximately 20 described species, predominantly distributed in North America. Members are characterized by spiniform setae on their first pair of legs, which function in prey capture. These mites are ambush predators of small arthropods in arid environments.
Calyptostomatidae
Calyptostomatidae is a small family of predatory mites in the order Trombidiformes. The family contains at least two genera, Calyptostoma and Smaris, with approximately six described species. These mites are placed in the superfamily Calyptostomatoidea within the suborder Prostigmata. They are relatively poorly studied compared to many other mite families.
Calyptostomatoidea
Calyptostomatoidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Trombidiformes, established by Oudemans in 1923. It belongs to the infraorder Anystina and contains a single family, Calyptostomatidae. These mites are relatively poorly known compared to other prostigmatan groups, with limited published research on their biology and ecology.
Camerobiidae
Camerobiidae is a family of prostigmatan mites within the superfamily Raphignathoidea, characterized by distinctly long and slender stilt-like legs. The family includes several genera, notably Camerobia, Neophyllobius, and Tycherobius, with species recorded from Australia, Türkiye, and fossil deposits in Eocene Baltic amber. These mites are associated with aboveground vegetation and various litter habitats. The fossil record was previously limited to a single species but has been expanded with recent descriptions of additional fossil taxa.
Carabodoidea
Carabodoidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes. These mites are part of the diverse soil microarthropod community, contributing to decomposition processes. The group was established by Koch in 1843 and is classified within the infraorder Brachypylina. Members are characterized by certain morphological features of the legs and body structure that distinguish them from other oribatid superfamilies.
Celaenopsoidea
Celaenopsoidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Mesostigmata, suborder Trigynaspida. Members are primarily associated with arthropod hosts, particularly beetles. The group includes families such as Schizogyniidae, which exhibit specialized morphological adaptations including sexual dimorphism in mouthpart structures. These mites are generally small, poorly known, and frequently collected through host sampling rather than direct environmental sampling.
Cepheoidea
Cepheoidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes, established by Berlese in 1896. The group is currently treated as a synonym of Cepheusoidea in modern classifications. Oribatid mites in this group are primarily soil-dwelling decomposers.
Chaetodactylidae
Chaetodactylidae is a family of mites in the order Sarcoptiformes, comprising five genera: Sennertia, Chaetodactylus, Achaetodactylus, Centriacarus, and Roubikia. Members of this family are exclusively associated with bees, exhibiting diverse ecological relationships ranging from phoresy to cleptoparasitism. Some species function as mutualists, potentially removing fungi from host nests, while others significantly harm bee populations through nest-to-nest dispersal and host mortality.
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.
Cheiroseius
Cheiroseius is a genus of predatory mites in the family Blattisociidae (formerly placed in Ascidae), representing the second largest genus in this family. The genus contains approximately 80 described species distributed across multiple continents. Species have been documented from wet habitats including leaf litter and aquatic vegetation, with some species associated with mosquito larvae.
Cheyletidae
Cheyletid mites
Cheyletidae is a family of predatory and parasitic mites in the order Trombidiformes. Some species, notably in the genus Cheyletiella, are ectoparasites of mammals and birds causing cheyletiellosis ("walking dandruff"). Most species are free-living predators found in diverse habitats including soil, forest litter, animal nests, house dust, under bark, and on foliage. They feed on other mites, nematodes, and small arthropods. Several species have been evaluated as biological control agents for agricultural and stored-product pests.
Cheyletoidea
Cheyletoidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Trombidiformes. Members include ectoparasites of arthropods and vertebrates, particularly birds, as well as some free-living predatory species. The superfamily encompasses several families including Cheyletidae, Cheyletiellidae, Harpirhynchidae, and Syringophilidae. Many species are highly host-specific, inhabiting feather quills or skin of birds.
Cocceupodidae
Cocceupodidae is a family of prostigmatan mites in the order Trombidiformes, established by Jesionowska in 2010. The family comprises at least three genera—Cocceupodes, Filieupodes, and Linopodes—with approximately 23 described species. These mites have been documented across diverse geographic regions including Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and polar localities such as Greenland and the South Shetland Islands. The genus Linopodes includes the widespread species Linopodes motatorius, first described by Linnaeus in 1758.
Cosmochthoniidae
Cosmochthoniidae is a family of oribatid mites in the superfamily Cosmochthonioidea, established by Grandjean in 1947. The family comprises approximately 6 genera and at least 40 described species, with Cosmochthonius being the most species-rich and widely studied genus. Members of this family are distributed across Mediterranean regions, parts of the former Soviet Union including Ukraine and Tajikistan, and northern Europe. The family belongs to the ancient mite group Enarthronota, characterized by primitive morphological features.
Cunaxoidinae
Cunaxoidinae is a subfamily of predatory mites in the family Cunaxidae (Acari: Prostigmata). The Philippine fauna comprises 21 species. Members occupy diverse microhabitats including leaf litter, bark, organic debris, ant and termite nests, and coconut foliage. The subfamily includes genera such as Lupaeus and Scutopalus.
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.
Cyta
snout mites
Cyta is a genus of snout mites in the family Bdellidae, comprising approximately 15 described species. These mites belong to the order Trombidiformes and are characterized by their distinctive elongated snout-like mouthparts. They are predatory mites found in various terrestrial habitats across northern Europe and the British Isles.
Dactyloscirus
Dactyloscirus is a genus of predatory mites in the family Cunaxidae, first described by Berlese in 1916. These mites belong to the order Trombidiformes, a diverse group of arachnids commonly known as prostigmatid mites. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive leg morphology, with the genus name referencing finger-like or dactylous structures. Cunaxid mites, including Dactyloscirus, are primarily known as predators of small arthropods and are found in soil and litter habitats.
Damaeidae
Damaeidae is a family of oribatid mites (order Sarcoptiformes) comprising approximately 20 genera distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Members are primarily fungivorous and inhabit decomposing organic matter including plant litter, mosses, decaying wood, and soil layers. Several species exhibit troglophilic tendencies, occurring in subterranean habitats such as caves and mountain scree systems. The family has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, with historically recognized families Belbidae, Belbodamaeidae, and Hungarobelbidae now synonymized under Damaeidae.
Damaeoidea
Damaeoidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites (beetle mites) within the order Sarcoptiformes. First described by Berlese in 1896, this group comprises several families of soil-dwelling mites that play important roles in decomposition and nutrient cycling. The superfamily is part of the diverse assemblage of Brachypylina mites, one of the most species-rich lineages of oribatids.
Demodecidae
Mammalian Follicle Mites
Demodecidae is a family of highly host-specific mites that inhabit the skin and associated structures of mammals. Species within this family typically exhibit strict specificity to a single host species, though individual mammals may harbor multiple demodecid species simultaneously. These mites occupy discrete microhabitats including hair follicles, sebaceous glands, Meibomian glands of the eye, ear canals, and other specialized skin regions. The family was formerly known as Demodicidae. Members range from among the smallest known animals (70–80 μm) to larger species exceeding 190 μm in length.
Demodex
Mammalian Follicle Mites, Eyelash Mites, Face Mites
Demodex is a genus of microscopic mites that inhabit hair follicles and sebaceous glands of mammals. Approximately 65 species are known, with two species—D. folliculorum and D. brevis—occurring on humans. These mites are typically commensal, causing no symptoms in healthy hosts, but can proliferate and cause skin conditions when host immunity is compromised. The genus exhibits strong host specificity, with mite lineages tracking host ancestry across generations.
Dendrolaelaps
Dendrolaelaps is a genus of mites in the family Digamasellidae, first described in 1915. The genus contains more than 170 described species. At least one species, D. neodisetus, has been documented as nematophagous and associated with pine bark beetles.
Deraeocoris nebulosus
Deraeocoris nebulosus is a predatory plant bug in the family Miridae. It is native to North America and has been documented from the northeastern United States through the mid-Atlantic and into the South. The species is a significant biological control agent in agricultural and ornamental systems, feeding on mites, aphids, and other small arthropod pests. It has been studied extensively for its role in managing European red mite in Virginia apple orchards.