Eylais is a genus of mites belonging to the family Eylaidae.[1]

Eylais
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Trombidiformes
Family: Eylaidae
Genus: Eylais
Latreille, 1796

The genus has cosmopolitan distribution.[1]

Species:[1]

Biology edit

Eylais mite larvae are ectoparasites of diving beetles (Dytiscidae). They attach mainly to the ventral side of the hindwings underneath the elytra and may be feeding on hemolymph from here.[2]

The smallest (and hence youngest) larvae occur on beetles in early spring, suggesting that some Eylias overwinter on their hosts. The larvae grow rapidly and reach their maximum size in late June/July, then advance to a nonparasitic life stage. Parasitism rates of Eylias on beetles are highest in early spring, decline through the summer and increase again in autumn.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Eylais Latreille, 1796". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  2. ^ a b Aiken, R. B. (1985-02-01). "Attachment sites, phenology, and growth of larvae of Eylais sp. (Acari) on Dytiscus alaskanus J. Balfour-Browne (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 63 (2): 267–271. doi:10.1139/z85-041. ISSN 0008-4301.