generalist predators that are expected to be neutral to beneficial, but may be harmful if they can enter brood cells; preys on microarthropods in bee nests
Blattisocius Keegan, 1944
Taxonomy
Superorder Parasitiformes » Order Mesostigmata » Suborder Monogynaspida » Hyporder Dermanyssiae » Family Blattisociidae » Genus Blattisocius
Type species
Blattisocius triodons Keegan, 1944 (=Lasioseius tarsalis Berlese, 1918)
Common synonyms
Paragarmania Nesbitt, 1951 (this synonymy has not been accepted by all authors; in these references (Bregetova, 1977c; Karg, 1971), Paragarmania is treated as a separate genus).
Female: Dorsal shield undivided and without midlateral incisions (Figs. 1, 3). Sternal shield with 3 pairs of setae (Fig. 20) or st3 on partially separate platelets (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7); st4 situated on soft cuticle (Fig. 20) or on corners of sternal shield platelets (Figs. 4, 6, 7). Metsternal shields absent (Figs. 4, 6, 7, 20). Ventrianal shield elongated, subtriangular to bullet-shaped, bearing 3-4 pairs of ventral (preanal) setae (JV, ZV), in addition to the three circumanal setae (Figs. 8, 9). Adanal setae inserted anterior to hind margin of anus (Figs. 8, 9). Peritrematic shield slender, barely wider than stigma at level of stigma (Fig. 10). Corniculi narrowly separated, slender (Fig. 11). Fixed digit with filiform pilus dentilis (Figs. 12, 17). Tectum convex (Fig 16).
A dichotomous key is available in Britto et al., 2012.
Lasioseius. Blattisocius can be separated from Lasioseius by narrow ventrianal shield (broader in Lasioseius), metasternal shields absent (present in Lasioseius); corniculi narrowly separated (widely separated in Lasioseius), and peritrematic shield barely wider than diameter of stigma at level of stigma (clearly wider in Lasioseius).
Worldwide. Species associated with bees have been found in the Nearctic (Canada), Palaearctic (Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine), Neotropical (Argentina), Oriental (India), and Australasian (New Zealand and Australia) regions.
Members of this genus have been found in honey bee (Apis) hives (e.g., B. tarsalis) and on adult honey bees (e.g., B. apisassociae and B. apis). Blattisocius tarsalis has also been found in nests of leafcutter bees Megachile gomphrenae and M. pallefacta.
associated exclusively with bees or their close relative, wasps; cannot live without these hosts
some life stages are associated with bees, while others are not
can complete entire life cycle without bees or their close relative, wasps
facultative
Six species (Blattisocius apis, B. apisassociae, B. dentriticus, B. keegani, B. mali, and B. tarsalis) have been recorded from hives of honey bees or on adult bees.
Species of Blattisocius are also predators in soil, stored food, the nests of small mammals and birds, ripe, dried, and rotting vegetables, on plants (e. g., roses, apple trees, and Citrus trees), and in insect cultures. Prey may include acarid mites. One species, Blattisocius patagiorum (Figs. 18-20), is parasitic on adult noctuid moths.