Water Mites

Abstract

Water mites are brightly coloured, red or orange acarines. They are also known as Hydracarina, Hydrachnidia or Hydrachnellae. More than 6000 species of water mites belonging to 40 different families from prostigmatan and Parasitengonina groups have been reported. Water mites are more thoroughly studied in European countries and North America, but relatively poorly studied in Asia, Africa and much of South Africa. Feeding habits and habitats of water mites and Hydrachnidia diversity are discussed. Parasitic mites and their juveniles generally feed on aquatic insects. Water mites are generally exceptionally sensitive indicators of habitat conditions and the impact of environmental changes in the freshwater communities. Considering the diversity and great economic importance of water mites, some websites covering different types of information from global as well as regional level are found. Aquatic mites play an important role in regulating the population of other invertebrates. Larval water mites of families Erythraeidae, Trombellidae, Trombiculidae, Trombidiidae, Arrenuridae, Hydryphantidae, Limnesidae and Pionidae are parasitic on adult stages of different mosquito species. Larvae of many water mite species are predators of chironomid midges.