Tydeidae is a family of acariform mites. As of 2016, it contained over 300 species in three subfamilies,[1] though more species have been discovered since then.[2]
These mites live in a wide range of habitats and there are predatory, fungivorous and scavenging species.
Tydeidae are soft-bodied mites with an idiosoma that is striated, reticulated or a combination of both. They have two bothridial setae. The chelicerae have fused bases, a movable digit that is relatively short and needle-like, and a fixed digit that is reduced. They may have two or three eyes, though some species are blind.[1]
Of the three subfamilies, Pretydeinae has no setae on the genu of legs II, III or IV, and the palptarsus has a triple eupathidium at the end. The other two subfamilies have one or two setae (Tydeinae) or three setae (Australotydeinae) on the genu of leg II, and the palptarsus ends in a double or triple eupathidium.[1]
Tydeids are among the most commonly encountered mites in arboreal habitats, including leaves, stems, tree trunks, canopy soils, sporocarps and nests.[3] They are also found in caves, soil, humus, litter, grass, straw, hay and stored products.[1][4]
Most tydeids are scavengers or fungivores, while some can feed on plants, pollen or animal prey.[1]
Various tydeid species are themselves preyed on by phytoseiid mites.[5]
Species in several genera have been found in beehives. The nature of their relationship with bees is uncertain.[4]
Some species of Tydeus are medically important: T. interruptus may be a reservoir for scrapie-like agents, while T. molestus causes itching and skin irritation in humans and domestic animals.[4]
Tydeus californicus and Lorryia formosa can damage citrus plants.[4] On the other hand, some tydeid species can benefit agriculture by suppressing (through their feeding) powdery mildew and downy mildew.[1]
Tydeidae includes three subfamilies with the following genera:[1]
It once also included subfamilies Edbakerellinae, Pronematinae, Triophtydeinae and Tydaeolinae. Edbakerellinae and Triophtydeinae have since been moved into family Triophtydeidae, while Pronematinae and Tydaeolinae have been moved into family Iolinidae.[6]
Tydeidae is a family of acariform mites. As of 2016, it contained over 300 species in three subfamilies, though more species have been discovered since then.
These mites live in a wide range of habitats and there are predatory, fungivorous and scavenging species.
