#2010 - Fam. Macrochelidae - Phoretic Dung Beetle Mites
On the dung beetle Onthophagus ferox.
Macrochelidae are fast-moving, free-living cosmopolitan predators found in habitats that are rich in decaying organic material, including manure, and carrion, including human corpses. They're probably best known for the species that hitch a lift to the next cowpat on a convinient dung beetle, and then decimate the fly population at that pat. Macrochelids feed mainly on small arthropods such as fly larvae and nematodes, and some species are particularly promising as biological control agents.
For example, Macrocheles robustulus is presently commercially available for the control of pre-pupae and pupae of thrips as well as larvae of Lyprauta sp. (Keroplatidae).