European Journal of Entomology

Mites carried by coccinellid beetles have been found to be important predators of scale insects. To investigate the possible wider importance of coccinellids as vectors of mites, we undertook a survey of the range of mites carried by coccinellids in one location in the United Kingdom. Deutonymphs of six species of mite were found phoretic upon coccinellids, and one species was observed that was parasitic. The importance of these observations awaits further study on the biology and ecology of the mite concerned. It is clear, however, that introduction of coccinellids to an environment will be accompanied by the introduction of mites.

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Keywords
Coccinellidae, Acari, Astigmata, Mesostigmata, Prostigmata, phoresy