Raphignathoidea

Taxobox


image_width = 240px
image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Chelicerata
classis = Arachnida
subclassis = Acarina
superordo = Acariformes

ordo = Prostigmata
subordo = Eleutherengona
zoosectio = Raphignathae
superfamilia = Raphignathoidea
superfamilia_authority =
diversity_link = Raphignathoidea
diversity = 11 families
> 55 genera
> 750 species
subdivision_ranks = Families
subdivision =11, see text

The Raphignathoidea are a superfamily of the Acarina (mite) order Prostigmata. They contain many predators of small invertebrates, while some others are herbivores or parasites.Fan & Zhang (2005)]

The predatory Raphignathoidea are of some commercial importance, as many are suitable for biological pest control. They are bred and released to control such plant pests as gall mites (Eriophyidae), spider mites (Tetranychidae) or scale insects (Coccoidea) in ariculture and forestry.

This is a diverse and widespread group. With about 57 genera and some 770 species, Raphignathoidea mites are abundant on most continents and a few have even colonized Antarctica. Their lineage dates back at least to the Paleocene-Eocene boundary, about 56 million years ago.

Families

* Barbutiidae
* Caligonellidae
* Camerobiidae
* Cryptognathidae
* Dasythyreidae
* Eupalopsellidae
* Homocaligidae
* Mecognathidae
* Raphignathidae
* Stigmaeidae
* Xenocaligonellididae

Footnotes

References

* (2005): "Fauna of New Zealand Number 52 Raphignathoidea (Acari: Prostigmata)". Manaaki Whenua Press. ISBN 0478093713