Mites of the Macrocheles-Glaber Group in Australia (Acarina, Macrochelidae)

Abstract

The mite genus Macrocheles includes a species-group known as the M. glaber group, which is characterised mainly by the pattern of ornamentation on the sternal shield of the female. Five species in this group occur in Australia. M. aestivus, sp. nov. is described from the female, male and deutonymph. All previously undescribed sexes and instars of M. glaber (Muller), M. kraepelini (Berlese), M. peregrinus Krantz and M. perglaber Filipponi & Pegazzano are also described and keyed. Data are presented on the geographic distribution of each species in Australia, with notes on their biology and phoresy on beetles where available.