A case of trombiculosis is presented at the Estación de Biología Chamela in Jalisco, Mexico. This occurred during an expedition in search of parasites in the fall of 2024. One of the participants presented small red macules on her shins and ankles, and when these were observed with a portable magnifying glass, the presence of chiggers (Trombiculidae) was confirmed. The mites were identified as Eutrombicula alfreddugesi (Oudemans), which caused severe trombiculosis due to hypersensitivity in the...

Belongs within: Euchelicerata.Contains: Labidostomma, Sphaerolichida, Eupodides, Halacaridae, Parasitengonina, Anystina. The Trombidiformes are a diverse group of mites exhibiting a wide range of morphologies. The majority of Trombidiformes have historically been united in the suborder Prostigmata; the monophyly of this taxon depends on the position of the previously excluded Sphaerolichida. The name of the Prostigmata refers… Continue reading Trombidiformes

Cytogenetic studies on mites (and ticks) remain scarce and have received limited attention in the literature. In this study, for the first time, chromosome numbers of two species belonging to Trombidi...

Spider mites have emerged as serious pests of several field and horticultural crops in Kerala, in recent years. This extensive survey was carried out to assess the spider mite faunal diversity in dif...

The family Tuckerellidae (Prostigmata: Tetranychoidea) includes 32 known species worldwide, with three of them reported in Brazil. Studies of the mite fauna associated with the native vegetation of th...

Coextinction is a major and growing threat to global biodiversity. One of the affected groups is the eriophyoid mites (Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) which are highly host plant specific. They have been described from an enormous range of annual and perennial plants from grasses to giant forest trees. It is highly likely that there are huge numbers of undescribed eriophyoid species in the subtropical and tropical regions which harbor an extraordinary wealth of plant diversity. The global total of eriophyoid species is estimated to be at least 250,000 but it could be much higher. However, the continuing destruction and degradation of natural habitat, especially tropical forests, and climate change, together pose extreme, on-going threats to the eriophyoid mites because of their vulnerability to co-extinction with their host plants. It has been reported that one third of all the Earth’s plant species are now at risk of extinction. Together with enormous numbers of other invertebrate species, it is highly likely that many thousands of eriophyoid species are disappearing in the current mass extinction event. Population decline and co-extinction, especially of the invertebrates, are greatly accelerating total biodiversity losses. The termination of habitat destruction and degradation; establishment of large, representative protected areas; restoration of degraded areas; and rapid reduction of fossil fuel use, are urgent tasks. However, the long term conservation of biodiversity can only be achieved through comprehensive social, economic and political reforms across the world that prioritize environmental protection, peaceful coexistence, social justice and the sustainable use of resources.

The small passerine family Neosittidae has never been checked under the presence of ectoparasitic mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata). Herein, we describe a new species, Aulobia sittellae n. sp., collected from the Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera (Latham). In addition to the first record of the syringophilid mites on a host representative of the family Neosittidae, it is also the first record of the genus Aulobia in the Australian region. Additionally, a key to all described Aulobia species is constructed, and the genus distribution on the hosts is briefly discussed.

A new species of the genus Augeriflechtmannia Koçak & Kemal, 2008 – formerly Diplonychus Auger & Flechtmann, 2003, namely Augeriflechtmannia haloxyloni sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on females and males collected from Haloxylon ammodendron (Amaranthaceae) in Iran. A key to the known species of the world is also provided.

In a study on the coastal mites of the southern areas of the Caspian Sea, two caligonellid species were collected. The female of Caligonella geonoma Smith-Meyer & Ueckermann is re-described, and the larva of the species is described for the first time. Also, Caligonella quinqueocellata Khaustov is reported from Iran for the first time. Finally, an updated key to Caligonella species of Iran is presented.

Two new spider mite species collected in southern France on the tiny broom Genista pulchella are described. The new species, Bryobia (Lyobia) baroni sp. n. and Tenuipalpoides genistearum sp. n are among the smallest known species belonging to the genera Bryobia (Lyobia) and Tenuipalpoides, respectively. In addition, pictures, corrections on body size measurements and additional morphological data of Tenuipalpoides zizyphus are provided.

Bougainvillea plants, native of Brazil, are cultivated in home gardens in South Africa. Vittacus bougainvilleae (Keifer) (Eriophyidae), Brevipalpus californicus s.l. (Banks) and Brevipalpus yothersi Baker (Tenuipalpidae) are recorded for the first time in this country infesting bougainvillea plants. The bougainvillea rust mite, V. bougainvilleae, was detected in the Western Cape Province during the summer season. Infested plants showed symptoms of leaf rolling, as well as leaf and flower drop. Brevipalpus californicus and B. yothersi were detected in Mpumalanga Province during winter and late autumn causing no obvious damage.

The study provides the list of soil mites from suborder Prostigmata in selected habitats of Morasko Campus of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. Representatives of 21 families belonging to 58 genera and 139 species were found in 20 collected samples. One family, 11 genera and 26 species are new to the fauna of Poland and two species new to the fauna of Europe.

Two new species of Bdellidae, collected from China, are described in this paper. Odontoscirus anzhouensis Wu & Guo n. sp. is described based on adult females, characterized by dorsal hypostomal setae (DHS) shorter than vh₃，and different leg chaetotaxy/solenidotaxy. Cyta pseudokreiteri Wu & Guo n. sp. is described based on adult females and larvae, characterized by movable digits smooth and fixed digits with one tooth; chelicera with continuous longitudinal striae; setal formula of telofemora I–IV 6–5(6)–5(6)–4.

We report Aculops ailanthi Lin, Jin, & Kuang, 1997 (Acariformes: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) from Pennsylvania and West Virginia, USA; present the first scanning electron micrographs of the species in North America and discuss morphological observations that clarify features observed in slide-mounted specimens, such as the number ridges on female genital flaps; and briefly discuss symptoms and control of an A. ailanthi infestation on greenhouse-grown tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae).

A new species, Cheletonella iraniensis n. sp. (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Cheyletidae) is described based on adult females from Rasht, Guilan Province, Northern Iran. Additionally, a key to the world species (females) of the genus Cheletonella Womersley is provided.

Soil microarthropods are important links between aboveground and belowground food webs in grassland ecosystems and are sensitive to changes in environ…

Die Grasmilbe gehrt wie die Mauermilbe und die Herbstmilbe in die Ordnung der Actinedida (=Prostigmata) und zwar zur pflanzenparasitischen Familie Tetranychidae (=Spinnmilben), ist demnach nahverwandt mit der Obstbaumspinnmilbe oder Roten S...