''Androlaelaps schaeferi'' (formerly known as ''Gromphadorholaelaps schaeferi'') is a
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 e ...
that lives on the
Madagascar hissing cockroach
The Madagascar hissing cockroach (''Gromphadorhina portentosa''), also known as the hissing cockroach or simply hisser, is one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching at maturity. They are native to the island of Madagascar, which is off ...
(''Gromphadorhina portentosa''). While it was formerly believed that it sucks body fluid from its host, coloring experiments have shown that this is false. Instead, it takes part in its host's meal. They are usually concentrated between the host's legs and around the
spiracles.
References
External links
* Joel Hallan Biology Catalog
Laelapidae* Yoder, J.A. & Barcelona, J.C. Jr. (1995). Food and water resources used by the Madagascan hissing-cockroach mite, ''Gromphadorholaelaps schaeferi''. ''Experimental and Applied Acarology'' 19(5):259-273.
Laelapidae
Animals described in 1969
Arthropods of Madagascar
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