Family HEMISARCOPTIDAE Oudemans, 1904

Museums

Regional Maps

• Hemisarcoptinae Oudemans, A.C. 1904. Acarologische aanteekeningen XIV. Entomologische Berichten (Amsterdam) 1(20): 190-195.

Introduction

Two genera of Hemisarcoptidae are known from Australia, represented by two undescribed species of Hemisarcoptes and an unidentified species of Nanacarus. Most of the 31 described species in the family are associated with beetles, either as parasites or commensals (OConnor 2009). Some species are parasites of scale insects in the family Diaspididae, are phoretic on coccinellid beetles, and have been proposed as potential biological control agents (Gerson et al. 2003). Exploiting them for this purpose will require detailed study of the complex interactions between host plant, scale insect, beetle, and mite.

General References

Gerson, U., Smiley, R.L. & Ochoa, R. 2003. Mites (Acari) for Pest Control. Oxford : Blackwell Science 539 pp.

OConnor, B.M. 2009. Cohort Astigmatina. pp. 565–657 in Krantz, G.W. & Walter, D.E. (eds). A Manual of Acarology. Lubbock, Texas : Texas Tech University Press Third edition, 807 pp.

History of changes