Mesostigmata

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Taxonomy

updated 2025

Diagnostic characters

Typhlodrominae, Metaseiulini (setae s6 present; z3 usually present; z6, S4 and JV4 absent) with:

• s6, J2, S2, S5, JV2–3 present (+ normally present setae r3, s4, j4–6, Z4–5, J5, JV1, JV5, ZV1–2)
• z6, J1, Z1, Z3, S4 , R1, JV4 absent
• z3, ZV3 present or absent
• when present, base of z3 +/- aligned with and equidistant from bases z2–4
• j3 inserted near base of j1
• legs without macrosetae
• calyx of spermatheca elongate, tubular

Similar taxa

Phytoseiinae lack setae Z1, S2, S4 and S5. Amblyseiinae lack both setae z3 and s6. Ascids usually have dorsal shields with 22 or more pairs of setae and only rarely (e.g., Blattisocius) have phytoseioid-like corniculi. Within the Metaseiulini only Galendromus have setae R1 absent and S2 present; Galendromus (Mugidromus) species have shorter dorsal setae and setae j3 inserted well behind setae j1.

Ecology and distribution

Species of Galendromus are found primarily in Central America and the southern United States, but species used in biological control of spider mites (e.g., G. occidentalis) have been introduced around the world.

References

• Chant and McMurtry 1994Chant and McMurtry 1994:
  Chant DA, McMurtry JA. 1994. A review of the subfamilies Phytoseiinae and Typhlodrominae (Acari: Phytoseiidae). International Journal of Acarology 20: 223–310.
• Denmark 1982Denmark 1982:
  Denmark HA. 1982. Revision of Galendromus Muma, 1961 (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). International Journal of Acarology 8: 133–167.
• Schicha 1987Schicha 1987:
  Schicha E. 1987. Phytoseiidae of Australia and neighbouring areas. Indira Publishing House, Oak Park, Michigan.
• Schuster and Pritchard 1963Schuster and Pritchard 1963:
  Schuster RO, Pritchard EA. 1963. Phytoseiid mites of California. Hilgardia 43 (7): 191–285.