Blattisociidae
Taxonomic placing: Acari, Parasitiformes, Mesostigmata.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Morphology: The dorsal plate may be entire or divides, always with more than 23 setae. The stigmata open between legs III and IV and are connected to straight peritremes. The metasternal plates are small and the digits of the male spermadactyl are distally free.
Life history: These mites inhabit the upper soil layers and stored products, and plants in warmer and humid regions. They feed on diverse diets, including pollen, fungi, nematodes, insects and mites, and may be dispersed by various insects, inluding bees. Blattisociidae often have a short (1-2 weeks) life cycle.
Economic importance: Some Blattisociidae, such as Blattisocius tarsalis, prey on and partake in the control of some pests, like Ephestia cautella and of nematodes.
References
Lindquist, E.E. and Moraza, M.L. 2010: Revised diagnosis of the family Blattisociidae (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseioidea), with a key to its genera and description of a new fungus-inhabiting genus from Costa Rica. Zootaxa 2479: 1–21.
Lindquist, E.E. and Moraza, M.L. 2012, A new genus of fungus inhabiting mites of the family Blattisociidae (Acari Mesostigmata Phytoseioidea) from Costa Rica, with an updated key to genera of the subfamily Blattisociinae. Redia 95: 9–19.
Zhang, Z.-Q. and Fan, Q.-H. 2010. Blattisociidae of China: a review, with a checklist. Zoosymposia 4: 280–287.
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