#sarcoptiformes

[bestanimal]

Round 3 - Arachnida - Sarcoptiformes - Sep 8

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Order: Sarcoptiformes

Common Name: Sarcoptiform mites

Superfamilies: 12 - Schizoglyphoidea, Histiostomatoidea, Canestrinioidea, Hemisarcoptoidea, Glycyphagoidea, Acaroidea, Hypoderoidea, Pterolichoidea, Freyanoidea, Analgoidea, Pyroglyphoidea, and Psoroptoidea

(there are 76 families so we are just counting superfamilies to keep things from getting too long)

Anatomy: usually soft-bodied with exposed mouthparts, 2-segmented chelicerae, 6-legged larvae and 8-legged adults

Diet: organic material; most are specialized parasites, others feed on microbes, plants, fungi, and algae

Habitat: worldwide

Evolved in: Devonian

(source)

Do you have a favorite in Sarcoptiformes?

One or more of my favorite animals is in Sarcoptiformes

I love at least one or more of these animals

I like at least one or more of these animals

I am neutral about all of these animals

I dislike all of these animals

Voting ended onSep 15, 2025

Propaganda under the cut:

Despite many Astigmatan mites being considered pests and parasites, causing sarcoptic mange, allergic reactions, scabies, and so on, there are also some Astigmatan mites considered to be beneficial to humans. Hemisarcoptes (Hemisarcoptidae) (image 4) are parasites of armoured scale insects, which are plant pests, and are used in Integrated Pest Management, and, while some people may be allergic to them, dust mites (see gif above) do clean up after us.

[animalids]

Mange mite (Chorioptes bovis)

Photo by NCVP

[astronomy-to-zoology]

"Mold Mite" (Tyrophagus putrescentiae)

Also sometimes known as the "cheese mite", Tyrophagus putrescentiae is a species of Acarid mite which boasts a cosmopolitan distribution. In the wild T. putrescentiae occurs in a range of habitats, including grasslands, mushrooms, and the nest of bees and ducks. T. putrescentiae are also a common pest of stored products like meat, cheese, nuts, seeds, etc. Where it will feed on the fungi that will grow on the foodstuffs.

Classification

Animalia-Arthropoda-Arachnida-Acari-Sarcoptiformes-Acaridae-Tyrophagus-T. putrescentiae

Image: USDA

[dendroica]

The Cheese Mite (Tyrophagus putrescentiae) is common on plant leaves, stored grain and animal feed. Magnified 400X. (LTSEM) Plate #29042 (via EMU Micrographs)