Phoretic deutonymphs are most common on bark beetles, but they have also been found on dung beetles, longhorn beetles, leaf beetles (Aphthona), earwigs, flies, springtails, and rodents. Feeding stages of Saproglyphus are found in decomposing organic materials, including fungi, or under bark, feeding primarily on fungi. Generalist species live in a variety of habitats and use different animals for dispersal. Saproglyphus hagensis is an example of a generalist species, a fewphoretic deutonymphs of which have been found dispersing on the bee Hylaeus nivalis (Kuhlmann, 1998).
Several species of Saproglyphus show some degree of specificity (e.g., mites associated with bark beetles). A few species (Saproglyphus reticulatus from Hoplitis, and an undescribed species from the USA from Osmia) may be specific to bees, although it is unknown whether their feeding stages live only in bee nests or in other habitats as well. It is possible that these deutonymphs opportunistically attach to bees that come in close proximity to their principal habitat.
Finally, a single deutonymph of an unidentified species of Saproglyphus was found in a beehive of Apis mellifera (Haragsim et al., 1987). This is probably an accidental record. It is impossible to evaluate the degree of specificity of this species.