Mesostigmata
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Taxonomy
updated 2025
Name
Macroseius Chant, Denmark & Baker
Classification
Superorder Parasitiformes » Order Mesostigmata » Suborder Monogynaspida » Infraorder Gamasina » Hyporder Dermanyssiae » Superfamily Phytoseioidea » Family Phytoseiidae » Subfamily Macroseiinae » Genus Macroseius
Diagnostic characters
- Only Phytoseiidae with a divided dorsal shield in the adult female
- Podonotal shield with 10 pairs of setae, opisthonotal plate with 9 pairs of setae, each plate with 3 pairs of long, +/- whip-like setae
- Sternal shield with 3 pairs of setae and irregular posterior margin
- Metasternal setae (st4) on small plates
- Ventrianal shield small, subobtrapezoidal, with 5 setae
- Genu, tibia and basitarsus IV with long acicular macrosetae
- Spermathecal apparatus goblet-shaped
Similar taxa
Ascids with divided dorsal shields have more than 22 pairs of setae. Otopheidomenidae have regressed fixed digits.
Ecology and distribution
Macroseius biscutatus Chant, Denmark & Baker inhabits pitcher plants in the genus Sarracenia and may be phoretic on moths.
References
- Chant et al. 1959Chant et al. 1959:
Chant DA, Denmark HA, Baker EW. 1959. A new subfamily, Macroseiinae Nov., of the family Phytoseiidae (Acarina: Gamasina). The Canadian Entomologist 91: 808–811.
