Penthaleidae, also referred to as earth mites, are a family of
mite
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 ...
s that are major winter pests of a variety of crops and pastures in southern
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
.
The following genera are found in the family in Australia:
*''
Chromotydaeus''
Berlese, 1903
*''
Halotydeus''
Berlese, 1891
*''
Penthaleus''
Koch, 1835
References
Trombidiformes
Taxa named by Anthonie Cornelis Oudemans
Acari families
{{Trombidiformes-stub