Water-mites
Guides
Arrenuridae
Arrenuridae is a family of water mites (Hydrachnidia) in the order Trombidiformes, containing at least three genera and approximately 110 described species. Members are primarily freshwater predators as adults and deutonymphs, with larvae that parasitize aquatic insects. The family exhibits complex mating behaviors mediated by chemical communication, including female-emitted sex pheromones that trigger male responses.
Enallagma boreale
Boreal Bluet
Enallagma boreale, commonly known as the boreal bluet, is a damselfly species in the family Coenagrionidae. It is native to North America and has been long-established in western Canada, particularly in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Research has focused on its parasite-host relationships with gregarines and water mites, revealing sex-biased parasitism patterns where males typically show higher parasite prevalence than females. The species co-occurs with the range-expanding Enallagma clausum, and appears to experience ecological release from parasites when the novel host is present.
Gerris alacris
Gerris alacris is a water strider species in the family Gerridae, first described by Hussey in 1921. It inhabits aquatic environments in North America and is known to serve as a host for larval water mites. Laboratory studies indicate that juvenile G. alacris are susceptible to parasitism by Limnochares aquatica, with significant impacts on survival and development.
Hygrobatidae
water mites
Hygrobatidae is a family of prostigmatan mites in the order Trombidiformes, commonly known as water mites. The family comprises approximately 78 genera and over 100 described species, though estimates vary. Members are primarily aquatic, inhabiting springs, streams, and running waters across multiple continents. The genus Hygrobates includes a well-studied species complex (fluviatilis-complex) with ten or more morphologically similar species. Some species exhibit parasitic associations with amphibians.
Lebertia
Lebertia is a genus of mites in the family Lebertiidae, established by Neuman in 1880. It belongs to the order Trombidiformes, a large group of mites commonly referred to as "true mites" or "prostigmatid mites." The genus contains at least two described species, including Lebertia aberrans and Lebertia aberrata. Lebertia is classified within the superfamily Lebertioidea, which includes water mites and related predatory or parasitic forms.
Lebertioidea
Lebertioidea is a superfamily of water mites (Hydrachnidia) within the order Trombidiformes. Members are aquatic arachnids found primarily in freshwater habitats across the Holarctic region. The superfamily comprises approximately 13 genera distributed among several families including Sperchontidae, Anisitsiellidae, Oxidae, and Torrenticolidae. Larval stages are parasitic on various aquatic insects, while post-larval instars are free-living predators.
Limnesiidae
Limnesiidae is a family of water mites (Prostigmata) within the order Trombidiformes. The family comprises at least 3 genera—*Limnesia*, *Centrolimnesia*, and *Tyrrellia*—with approximately 20 described species. Members of this family are aquatic arachnids associated with freshwater habitats.
Torrenticolidae
torrent mites
Torrenticolidae is a family of water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) in the order Trombidiformes. Members are tiny, heavily sclerotized, crawling arthropods found in running freshwater habitats. The family contains approximately 5 genera and more than 400 described species, with the genus Torrenticola being the most diverse and widespread. Species diversity is highest in tropical regions, though the family occurs on all continents except Antarctica.
Unionicolidae
water mites
Unionicolidae is a family of water mites in the order Trombidiformes, comprising approximately 5 genera and at least 40 described species. Members are primarily freshwater aquatic arachnids distributed worldwide. Many species, particularly in the genus Unionicola, exhibit parasitic relationships with freshwater molluscs, feeding on host mucus and tissue. The family represents a significant component of Arachnida diversity in aquatic ecosystems.