Anystis
Genus of mites
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anystis (whirligig mites) is a genus of mites. They are predatory on other mites and small insects. Species in this genus are often red, long-legged, and range in size from 500μm – 1500μm.[1] Both the genus and the family Anystidae are referred to as whirligig mites.
| Anystis Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| |
| Anystis baccarum | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Trombidiformes |
| Family: | Anystidae |
| Genus: | Anystis von Heyden, 1826 |
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 and a pair of similarly shaped sensory organs (sensilla). 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).[1]
Agricultural use
The species Anystis baccarum has been used as a form of biological pest control in apple orchards[2] due to their predation of Panonychus ulmi, a mite species that causes massive economic loss in apple trees.[3] 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:[4]
- Anystis agilis
- Anystis andrei
- Anystis baccarum[5]
- 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[6]
