''Anystis'' (whirligig mites) is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
mites
Mites are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods). Mites span two large orders of arachnids, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari, but genetic analysis does not show clear evid ...
. They are predatory on other mites and small insects. Species in this genus are often red, long-legged, and range in size from 500
μm
The micrometre ( international spelling as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American spelling), also commonly known as a micron, is a unit of length in the International System of Unit ...
– 1500μm.
[ ] Both the genus and the family
Anystidae
Anystidae is a family of mites, based on the genus '' Anystis''. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution
In biogeography, cosmopolitan distribution is the term for the range of a taxon that extends across all or most of the world in appro ...
are referred to as whirligig mites.
Identification
Members of the genus have broad and short bodies (almost
trapezoidal) with two pairs of eyes. They have a prodorsal shield – the large covering on the anterior of the body – which is indented posteriorly (kidney-shaped). Two pairs of eyes are located posteriorly and laterally to the prodorsal shield. From the shield arise two long pairs of hair-like
setae
In biology, setae (singular seta ; from the Latin word for "bristle") are any of a number of different bristle- or hair-like structures on living organisms.
Animal setae
Protostomes
Annelid setae are stiff bristles present on the body. Th ...
and a pair of similarly shaped sensory organs (
sensilla
A sensillum (plural ''sensilla'') is an arthropod sensory organ protruding from the cuticle of exoskeleton, or sometimes lying within or beneath it. Sensilla appear as small hairs or pegs over an individual's body. Inside each sensillum there are ...
). Another pair of sensilla are found on the anterior portion of the mite's main body, the idiosoma. The
chelicerae, specialized mouthparts, each have a pair of hook-shaped chela on the distal portion and a pair of setae as well. The tarsus, the last segment of the leg, ends in two claws (which may be (combed, toothed or pilose) and has a claw- or bell-like empodium (a structure between the claws).
Agricultural use
The species ''
Anystis baccarum'' has been used as a form of
biological pest control
Biological control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests, such as insects, mites, weeds, and plant diseases, using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically also invo ...
in
apple
An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple fruit tree, trees are agriculture, cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus ''Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, wh ...
orchards due to their predation of ''
Panonychus ulmi
''Panonychus ulmi'', the European red mite, is a species of mite which is a major agricultural pest of fruit trees. It has a high reproductive rate, a short generation time (21 days at ) and produces many broods in a year, all of which contribute ...
,'' a mite species that causes massive economic loss in apple trees. Though ''A. baccarum'' is the most well known and exemplary member of the genus, it is unknown if other species may be able to fill a similar role to it in terms of pest control.
Species
Species include:
*''
Anystis agilis''
*''
Anystis andrei''
*''
Anystis baccarum''
*''
Anystis berlesi''
*''
Anystis borussica''
*''
Anystis coccinea''
*''
Anystis cornigerum''
*''
Anystis cursorium''
*''
Anystis germanica''
*''
Anystis pallescens''
*''
Anystis pini''
*''
Anystis rabuscula''
*''
Anystis salicinus''
*''
Anystis sellnicki''
*''
Anystis triangularis''
*''
Anystis vitis''
*''
Anystis voigtsi''
*''
Anystis wallacei''
References
External links
*
Bugguide.net. Genus ''Anystis'' - Whirligig Mites
Trombidiformes genera
{{Trombidiformes-stub