Mesostigmata

Mesostigmata Temporal range: Cenomanian–present PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Varroa destructor
Dermanyssus gallinae
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Superorder:	Parasitiformes
Order:	Mesostigmata
Suborders[1]
Monogynaspida Camin & Gorirossi, 1955 Sejida Kramer, 1885 Trigynaspida Camin & Gorirossi, 1955
Diversity
about 130 families, 900 genera, > 8,000 species

Mesostigmata is an order of mites belonging to the Parasitiformes. They are by far the largest group of Parasitiformes, with over 8,000 species in 130 families. Mesostigmata includes parasitic as well as free-living and predatory forms. They can be recognized by the single pair of spiracles positioned laterally on the body.

The family with the most described species is Phytoseiidae. Other families of note are Diplogyniidae, Macrochelidae, Pachylaelapidae, Uropodidae and Veigaiidae.

Amongst the best known species are Varroa destructor, an economically important parasite of honey bees, as well as the red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae), a parasite of poultry, most commonly chickens.