Blattisocius is a genus of mites in the family Blattisociidae.[2][3]

Blattisocius
Blattisocius dentriticus female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Mesostigmata
Family: Blattisociidae
Genus: Blattisocius
Keegan, 1944[1]

Description edit

Adult females of Blattisocius have a dorsal shield that is undivided and lacks midlateral incisions. The sternal shield either has 3 pairs of setae or has 2 pairs with the 3rd pair st3 on partially separate platelets. Setae st4 are located either on soft cuticle or on the corners of the sternal shield platelets. There are no isolated metasternal plates. The epigynal shield is truncate posteriorly. The ventrianal shield ranges from subtriangular to bullet-shaped, and bears 3-4 pairs of preanal setae and 3 circumanal setae. The adanal setae are inserted anterior to the posterior margin of the anus. The peritrematic shield is slender, being barely wider than the stigma at the level of the stigma. The corniculi are slender and narrowly separated. The fixed digit of the chelicera has a filiform pilus dentilis. The tectum is convex in shape.[3]

Ecology edit

Blattisocius have been found on/in live plants (e.g. roses, citrus trees, apple trees), vegetables, stored foods, animal nests (including bee nests), live insects and insect cultures.[3]

They are generally considered to be predators of microarthropods.[3] The species B. patagiorum is believed to be parasitic on noctuid moths.[4]

Species edit

Possibly also:

References edit

  1. ^ Keegan, H.L. 1944: On a new genus and species of parasitid mite. Journal of parasitology, 30(3): 181-183. doi:10.2307/3272795
  2. ^ Oliveira, D.C.; Chandrapatya, A.; De Moraes, G.J. 2015: A new species of Blattisocius (Acari: Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae), with a new characterisation of the genus. Zootaxa, 4040(1): 93-100. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4040.1.8
  3. ^ a b c d "Blattisocius". Bee Mite ID. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  4. ^ Treat, Asher E. (1966). "A New Blattisocius (Acarina: Mesostigmata) from Noctuid Moths". Journal of the New York Entomological Society. 74 (3): 143–159. ISSN 0028-7199.