Is it a mite?—Key feature pages

Silk-producing structures

a) mouthparts

Pseudoscorpions and some insects, sarcoptiform (Endeostigmata) and trombidiform mites (Prostigmata) produce fine silken threads from their mouthparts. The silk can be woven into cocoons for moulting (as in this larval Alicorhagia).

b) palptarsal spinneret

Spider mites have a short, blunt spinneret on their palps.

c) posterior cerci or legs

Symphylans spin silk from their spinneret cerci and centipedes from their last pair of legs.

d) abdominal spinnerets

Spiders produce silk from abdominal spinnerets for both prey capture and for protection (webs, egg sacs).

Feature pages

• Size
• Wings
• Number of legs or leg-like limbs
• Body segmentation
• Body armor/shell
• Major body regions
• Head or head-like region
• Eyes or eye-like structures
• Antennae or antenna-like structures
• Primary mouthparts
• Palps or pedipalps
• Comb-like structures
• Pedipalpal form
• Venter of head or head-like region
• Respiratory structures
• Recesses into which legs can be withdrawn (pedofossae)
• Ventral processes
• Distal or subterminal abdominal structures
• Ovipore/genital opening
• Discrete anal plates
• Insertion of legs
• Modification and form of leg segments
• Tarsal claws
• Tarsal segmentation
• Silk-producing structures
• Bothridial sensilla
• Large lateral opisthosomal glands
• External brooding