Mesostigmata (dust/parasitic mites)

Arachnida (parasites/med.) • veterinary/medical pests • pests-diseases-weeds

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (click on image to enlarge it)
Author(s): Gilles San Martin
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Mesostigmata (dust/parasitic mites)

The order of Mesostigmata contains mites which have a single pair of spiracles on the sides of the body. Most species are free living and some of these live in houses and can cause allergies (the house dust mites). Several species are parasitic like the blood sucking chicken mite.

The following families of are currently included under this group:

• Dermanyssidae (1 species)
• Macronyssidae (3 species)
• Laelapidae (1 species)
• Pyroglyphidae (3 species)