Phoretic
Guides
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.
Attaphila
Attaphila is a genus of minute myrmecophilous cockroaches that inhabit the fungus gardens of leaf-cutting ants. The genus comprises nine described species, divided into two host-specific groups: the bergi-group associated with Acromyrmex ants, and the fungicola-group associated with Atta ants. These cockroaches possess unique morphological adaptations for life within ant colonies, including specialized antennal structures and modified leg morphology.
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.
Chelifer cancroides
House Pseudoscorpion
Chelifer cancroides, the house pseudoscorpion, is a small pseudoscorpion species measuring 2.5–4.5 mm in body length with pedipalps extending to 7–9 mm. It is the most widely distributed pseudoscorpion species globally, occurring across North America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Caribbean. The species is strongly synanthropic, frequently found in human dwellings, barns, and beehives, but also occurs in natural habitats including under tree bark, in caves, and in bird nests. It is harmless to humans and preys on small arthropods.
Digamasellidae
Digamasellidae is a family of mesostigmatid mites containing 11 recognized genera. Members are primarily found in subcortical habitats, including bark beetle galleries and decaying wood. At least some species are nematophagous, feeding on nematodes. The family is distributed across Europe and has been recorded in association with pine bark beetles.
Eucharitidae
eucharitid wasps, ant parasitoid wasps
Eucharitidae is a family of highly specialized parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Chalcidoidea. The family contains approximately 55 genera and over 400 species distributed across four subfamilies: Akapalinae, Eucharitinae, Gollumiellinae, and Oraseminae. Eucharitids are unique among parasitoids in their ability to exploit ants as hosts, overcoming the sophisticated defense systems that typically protect ant colonies. Most species are tropical, though some extend into temperate regions.
Glycyphagidae
glycyphagid mites, storage mites
Glycyphagidae is a family of mites in the order Sarcoptiformes (Astigmata), comprising more than 25 genera and approximately 100 described species. Many species are associated with nests of rodents, insectivores, opossums, and birds, while others have become pests of stored food products and human dwellings. Several species, including *Glycyphagus domesticus* and *Lepidoglyphus destructor*, are economically significant as stored grain pests and sources of allergens.
Milichiidae
freeloader flies, jackal flies, filth flies
Milichiidae is a family of minute acalyptrate flies comprising approximately 250 species in 19 genera across three subfamilies (Madizinae, Milichiinae, Phyllomyzinae). Adults are best known for kleptoparasitic behavior, feeding on bodily fluids of prey captured by predatory invertebrates such as spiders, assassin bugs, and mantids. They are attracted to olfactory cues released by killed prey, particularly Heteroptera and Hymenoptera. Larvae develop in decaying organic matter including rotting vegetation, wood, bark, manure, and carrion. Some species have forensic importance due to association with corpses, while others exhibit myrmecophilous associations or phoretic behaviors.
Neolobogynium
Neolobogynium is a genus of mesostigmatid mites in the family Diplogyniidae, established by Hicks in 1957. Members of this genus are small arachnids belonging to the order Mesostigmata, a diverse group of mites that includes many free-living and symbiotic species. Diplogyniidae mites are primarily associated with arthropod hosts, particularly beetles. The genus is distinguished from related genera by specific morphological features of the gnathosoma and leg chaetotaxy.
Parasitidae
predatory mites, bee mites, beetle mites
Parasitidae is a family of predatory mites in the order Mesostigmata, representing the sole family in the superfamily Parasitoidea. These mites are relatively large for their group, often appearing yellowish to dark brown in color. The family has worldwide distribution and contains approximately 400 species across 29 genera organized into two subfamilies: Pergamasinae (soil-dwelling, non-phoretic) and Parasitinae (nest-dwelling, phoretic deutonymphs). Members prey on diverse microarthropods and nematodes, with individual species typically exhibiting narrower prey ranges than the family as a whole.
Platypsyllinae
mammal-nest beetles
Platypsyllinae is a subfamily of small beetles within Leiodidae, commonly known as mammal-nest beetles. The group was formerly recognized as the family Leptinidae, but was reclassified as a subfamily based on nomenclatural priority. Members of this subfamily are specialized inhabitants of mammal nests and burrows, exhibiting adaptations for this commensal lifestyle. The subfamily includes four genera: Leptinillus, Leptinus, Platypsyllus, and Silphopsyllus.
Sancassania
Sancassania is a genus of mites in the family Acaridae containing more than 80 species. Many species are associated with fungi, particularly mushrooms, with some lineages having specialized to exploit this ephemeral resource. Other species are phoretic on beetles or occur in soil and decomposing organic matter. The genus includes economically significant species associated with agricultural crops and biocontrol systems.
Tarsonemidae
thread-footed mites, white mites
Tarsonemidae is a family of mites in the order Trombidiformes, commonly known as thread-footed mites or white mites. The family exhibits diverse feeding habits: most species feed on fungal mycelia or algal bodies, while a limited number of genera (Steneotarsonemus, Polyphagotarsonemus, Phytonemus, Floridotarsonemus, and Tarsonemus) feed on higher plants. Some tarsonemids are associated with insects, including parasites of bees (Acarapis woodi), associates of leaf-footed bug glands, and attachments to grasshopper wings. Several species are significant agricultural pests, notably the broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) and cyclamen mite (Steneotarsonemus pallidus).
Trematuridae
Trematuridae is a family of soil-dwelling mites in the suborder Uropodina, characterized by a pear-shaped idiosoma and distinctive morphological features including dorsal shield notching and specialized cheliceral dentition. The family has a worldwide distribution with maximal diversity in tropical rain forests. Members have been documented in association with insect hosts, including the red palm weevil, and are studied for potential biological control applications. Reproductive behaviors including pre-ovipositional, ovipositional, and mating behaviors have been described for species such as Trichouropoda ovalis.