Family SITEROPTIDAE Mahunka, 1970

Museums

Regional Maps

• Siteroptinae Mahunka, S. 1970. Considerations on the systematics of the Tarsonemina and the description of new European taxa (Acari: Tromdidiformes). Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungariae 16: 137-174.

Introduction

The classification of the Pygmephoridae, Siteroptidae, and some related families has been unstable and confused, partly as a result of extensive intra-species polymorphism. The classification used here is that of Walter et al. (2009), in which the family Siteroptidae includes about eight genera and 80 species. They are fungivores, which occur in soil and decomposing organic matter. Many species are phoretic on insects that occur in the same habitats. Some species are vectors of plant-pathogenic fungi, such as those that cause the silver-top disease of grasses, carnation bud rot, and other plant diseases. The known Australian fauna includes only five species in a single genus, but they have never been systematically studied. Some of the Australian species are pests in commercial mushroom cultivation.

General References

Walter, D.E., Lindquist, E.E., Smith, I.M., Cook, D.R. & Krantz, G.W. 2009. Order Trombidiformes. pp. 233-420 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