Anystidae (predators)
Anystidae (predators)
This family contains over 100 species of predatory mites which are found on leaves and on the ground. Several are considered useful natural enemies of pest arthropods, especially those of the genus Anystis. They are typically generalist predators and move fast, feeding, for example, on spider mites, thrips, leafhoppers, aphids or collembolans.
The adults have a body of around 1 mm with long legs which appear to originate from the same point on the body. They often have a brownish, reddish or orange colour. The family is characterized by the independent chelicerae, each with 2 setae, the 5-segmented palps, the stigmata located close to the base of the chelicerae as well as the tarsi ending in a pair of claws and an empodium.
The following genera are currently entered in the system:
