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 Major Groups | Acarina / Acari (mites) | Mesostigmata (mites)
 

Mesostigmata

Major Group: Acarina
Minor Group: Mesostigmata

 

Distribution: NSW, +?

Sensitivity Rating: none

Functional Feeding Group: predators (parasites)

 

Edward River at 4 Posts YC Deniliquin, NSW

Ecology: Instream habitat: Mesostigmata species are found in damp litter, or littoral and riparian vegetation, along lake and stream margins.
Feeding ecology: Mesostig mites are predators on other mites, Dipteran larvae, nematodes and insect eggs
Habit: Although typically terrestrial, mesostigmatic mites can remain submerged a long time.
Life history: Females can lay approximately 43 eggs in 17 days. After three to four weeks, egg production declines and the females die. Ascidae species may develop from egg to adult in 11-15 days. The pre-oviposition period is 2-3 days.

 

Information Sources: Krantz & Walter 2009, Halliday et al. 1998, Halliday 2000