unknown, but probably neutral; usually lives in roden nests
Pygmephorus Kramer, 1877
Taxonomy
Superorder Acariformes » Order Trombidiformes » Suborder Prostigmata » Infraorder Eleutherengona » Hyporder Heterostigmata » Family Pygmephoridae » Genus Pygmephorus
Type species
Pygmephorus spinosus Kramer, 1877
Female: Tergite C not covering prodorsum (Fig. 1). Three pairs of propodosomal dorsal setae (Figs. 1, 3). Leg I four-segmented, with tarsus and tibia I fused forming tibiotarsus (Figs. 2, 4). Claw I large, striated (Figs. 1, 2, 4 ). Three pairs of setae on each coxae I-II (Fig. 4). Tarsus IV with claws (Fig. 1). Trochanter IV subquadrate (not triangular) (Fig. 2). Seta v’ on femur IV swordlike; seta pl’’ on tarsus IV swordlike (Fig 2).
Dichotomous keys are available in Smiley, 1978 and Smiley and Whitaker, 1984.
Holarctic, Neotropical, Oriental, and Afrotropical regions. The record of a single species (Pygmephorus spinosus) from beehives is from Europe.
occasionally occurs in honey bee hives (Apis)
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
This genus can also rarely be found in other habitats such as decaying logs, old straw, and manure. One holarctic species associated with many species of small rodents and insectivores, Pygmephorus spinosus, has been found in hives of the European honey bee Apis mellifera in Europe (Haragsim et al., 1987).