neutral to beneficial; probably feed on small invertebrates in bee nests
Nodele Muma, 1964
Taxonomy
Superorder Acariformes » Order Trombidiformes » Suborder Prostigmata » Infraorder Eleutherengona » Hyporder Raphignathina » Family Cheyletidae » Genus Nodele
Type species
Nodele calamondin Muma, 1964
Female: With pair of lateral teeth on rostral shield (Fig. 1).
Female: Palpal claw has a single basal tooth (Fig. 1). Palpal femur with 4 setae (Fig. 2). Propodonotal and hysteronotal shields well-developed. Tarsal claws I-IV are subequal (Fig. 1). Tibia I with five setae.
The nominal subgenus Nodele does not contain bee-associated mites. A key to species is available for this subgenus in Summers and Price, 1970. The only described bee-associated mite species belongs to the subgenus Aztecocheyletus. Diagnostic character states for this subgenus and species are given in Bochkov and Klimov, 2004.
Neotropical (subgenus Aztecocheyletus, bee-associated mite), Holarctic, and Oriental regions (subgenus Nodele, general predators).
Megachilid bee Aztecanthidium tenochtitlanicum
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
Permanent (for the subgenus Aztecocheyletus only)
Species of the genus Nodele, subgenus Nodele live in pine forest litter, dried leaves, galleries of bark beetles, or in association with book lice. They are probably general predators. The single species of the subgenus Aztecocheyletus, N. (A.) conquistador has been found in association with the megachilid bee Aztecanthidium tenochtitlanicum in Mexico. This mite species is probably specific to its host since there are several records indicating non-random association. This species probably preys on small invertebrates in the bee nest.