Flat Mites of the World

Key characters

• body extremely flat
• c1, c2, d2, e2 absent (Fig. 1) 
• h2 elongate (Fig. 1)
• anterior margin of prodorsum with forked median projection (Fig. 2)
• ventral, genital, anal plates not developed
• 2 pairs ps setae (Fig. 3)
• 4 segmented palp
• g1 inserted anterior to g2

Similar taxa

Gahniacarus - c1 present; e1 absent; palp 3 segmented; c1, d1 similar to other dorsal setae

Cyperacarus - c1 present; e1, f3 absent; palp 3 segmented; 3 projections on anterior margin prodorsum

Prolixus - body elongate; f2 present or absent; anterior margin of prodorsum smoothly rounded or with small projection; palp 3 segmented

Tenuipalpus - c1, f2 present or absent; ventral and genital plates well developed; palp 1-3 segmented

Number of species

Two - A. danutae, A. plana

Authority

Beard and Gerson

Distribution

Australia

Hosts

Cyperaceae (sedges)

Colour

• yellow, orange and green colours when alive (Fig. 4)
• eggs yellow to orange