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Hypoaspis

Hypoaspis is a genus of mites in the family Laelapidae.

Description

Hypoaspis is superficially similar to related genera such as Coleolaelaps, Mumulaelaps and Promacrolaelaps. It can be distinguished by: a rounded and oval dorsal shield without lateral incisions, and with 35–40 pairs of setae including one or more pairs of Zx setae; opisthonotal seta Z4 being very long and wavy; the sternal shield having a distinct anterior margin; h3 being longest out of the hypostomal setae; the first leg pair being longer than the third leg pair; the second and third femurs on each side with macrosetae present; the tarsus of the second leg pair with thick subterminal spines; and the post-anal seta shorter than or equal in length to the para-anal setae.

This genus of mites is often associated with beetles, especially scarab beetles, but the nature of this association is uncertain. Hypoaspis may be parasites of eggs and larvae, or they may be commensals that feed on beetle exudates or on other small invertebrates associated with beetles.

Biological control

The genus once contained the species H. aculeifer and H. miles, which are used for biological pest control of sciarid and phorid fly larvae in mushrooms. However, these species have since been moved to genera Gaeolaelaps and Stratiolaelaps, respectively.

Species

The composition of Hypoaspis is uncertain. It has historically been a large genus with multiple subgenera. It was later reduced to only the members of subgenus Hypoaspis (Hypoaspis) or Hypoaspis sensu stricto. There are currently 36 species.

Below is a list of species currently and formerly included in Hypoaspis:

References