Stylophore
Guides
Tetranychoidea
Spider Mites, Flat Mites, and Allies
Tetranychoidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Trombidiformes comprising approximately 2,200 described species across five families: Tetranychidae (spider mites), Tenuipalpidae (flat mites), Tuckerellidae (peacock mites), Linotetranidae (cryptic false spider mites), and Allochaetophoridae. Members are distinguished by a fused cheliceral base forming a stylophore, elongated stylet-like movable digits, and well-developed peritremes on the prodorsum. The superfamily is exclusively herbivorous, with many species being significant agricultural and ornamental plant pests.