Mites are small arachnids. Mites span two large orders of arachnids, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari. However, most recent genetic analyses do not recover the two as each other's closest relative within Arachnida, rendering the group non-monophyletic. Most mites are tiny, less than 1 mm (0.04 in) in length, and have a simple, unsegmented body plan. The small size of most species makes them easily overlooked; some species live in water, many live in soil as decomposers, others live on plants, sometimes creating galls, while others are predators or parasites. This last type includes the commercially destructive Varroa parasite of honey bees, as well as scabies mites of humans. Most species are harmless to humans, but a few are associated with allergies or may transmit diseases.
The Acariformes, also known as the Actinotrichida, are the more diverse of the two superorders of mites. Over 32,000 described species are found in 351 families, with an estimated total of 440,000 to 929,000 species, including undescribed species.
Oribatida, also known as oribatid mites, moss mites or beetle mites, are an order of mites, in the "chewing Acariformes" clade Sarcoptiformes. They range in size from 0.2 to 1.4 millimetres. There are currently 12,000 species that have been identified, but researchers estimate that there may be anywhere from 60,000 to 120,000 total species. Oribatid mites are by far the most prevalent of all arthropods in forest soils, and are essential for breaking down organic detritus and distributing fungi.
Astigmatina is a clade of mites in the superorder Acariformes. Astigmata has been ranked as an order or suborder in the past, but was lowered to the unranked clade Astigmatina of the clade Desmonomatides in the order Sarcoptiformes. Astigmatina is now made up of the two groups Acaridia and Psoroptidia, which have been suborders of the order Astigmata in the past. Astigmatina contains about 10 superfamilies and 76 families under Acaridia and Psoroptidia.
The Trombidiformes are a large, diverse order of mites.
Austrophthiracarus is a genus of mites in the family Steganacaridae.
Plateremaeidae is a family of oribatids in the order Sarcoptiformes. There are about 7 genera and 19 described species in Plateremaeidae.
Chaetodactylidae is a family of mites in the order Sarcoptiformes. There are five genera: Sennertia, Chaetodactylus, Achaetodactylus, Centriacarus, and Roubikia.
Winterschmidtiidae is a family of mites in the order Astigmata.
Liacaridae is a family of mites in the order Oribatida. There are about 7 genera and more than 240 described species in Liacaridae.
Phthiracaridae is a family of oribatid mites in the order Oribatida. There are about 7 genera and at least 710 described species in Phthiracaridae.
Achipteriidae is a family of mites and ticks in the order Sarcoptiformes. There are about 9 genera and at least 80 described species in Achipteriidae.
Scheloribatidae is a family of mites and ticks in the order Sarcoptiformes. There are at least 20 genera and 320 described species in Scheloribatidae.
Mochlozetidae is a family of mites and ticks in the order Sarcoptiformes. There are about 12 genera and at least 50 described species in Mochlozetidae.
Oribatulidae is a family of mites and ticks in the order Sarcoptiformes. There are about 19 genera and at least 200 described species in Oribatulidae.
Haplozetidae is a family of mites and ticks in the order Sarcoptiformes. There are at least 20 genera and 210 described species in Haplozetidae.
Phenopelopidae is a family of oribatid mites in the order Sarcoptiformes. As of 2018, there were 4 genera and 106 species known in this family.
Enarthronota is a suborder of mites in the order Oribatida. There are about 14 families and more than 450 described species in Enarthronota.
Oripodoidea is a superfamily of oribatids in the order Oribatida. There are about 19 families and at least 1,300 described species in Oripodoidea.
Licneremaeoidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Oribatida. There are about 6 families and more than 170 described species in Licneremaeoidea.
