Velvet-mites
Guides
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.
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.
Erythraeoidea
Long-legged Velvet Mites
Erythraeoidea is a superfamily of mites commonly known as long-legged velvet mites, characterized by extremely elongated legs relative to body size. Members exhibit a complex life cycle involving distinct morphological and behavioral phases: post-larval stages (deutonymph and adult) are active predators, while the six-legged larval stage is parasitic on arthropod and vertebrate hosts. This superfamily belongs to the infraorder Anystina within the order Trombidiformes. The group has a fossil record extending to at least the Cretaceous period, with specimens preserved in amber documenting ancient host-parasite relationships.
Neotrombidiidae
velvet mites, chiggers
Neotrombidiidae is a family of mites in the order Trombidiformes, encompassing velvet mites and chiggers. The family contains at least four recognized genera: Anomalothrombium, Discotrombium, Monunguis, and Neotrombidium. Members of this family are part of the diverse assemblage of parasitengone mites, a group characterized by complex life cycles involving parasitic larval stages and predatory post-larval stages.
Neotrombidium
Neotrombidium is a genus of velvet mites and chiggers in the family Neotrombidiidae, established by Leonardi in 1901. The genus contains at least three described species: N. beeri, N. helladicum, and N. samsinaki. Like other members of the infraorder Parasitengona, these mites exhibit complex life histories with parasitic larval stages and predatory adults. N. beeri larvae have been documented as subelytral parasites of false mealworm beetles in Arkansas.
Trombidioidea
velvet mites
Trombidioidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Trombidiformes, commonly known as velvet mites. It comprises approximately 8 families and at least 430 described species, including the familiar true velvet mites (Trombidiidae) and chiggers (Trombiculidae). Members exhibit complex life cycles with dramatic morphological and ecological shifts between instars. The superfamily is characterized by large, often brightly colored adults and minute, parasitic larvae.
Trombidium
velvet mites, red velvet mites
Trombidium is a genus of velvet mites in the family Trombidiidae comprising approximately 30 described species. Members are characterized by their bright red coloration and dense, velvety setae covering the body. The genus exhibits a complex life cycle with parasitic larval stages and free-living postlarval stages. The best-known species is Trombidium holosericeum, which has a Palearctic distribution.