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Mites = Acari (Acarina) a subclass of the Arachnida

• Mites have the first two segments (bearing the chelicerae and palps) separated from the body by flexible cuticle.  This anterior region is called the capitulum ('little head') or gnathosoma ('jaw body').

• The remainder of the mite body is called the idiosoma and lacks primary segmentation.

• Larval mites are usually hexapod (6 legs); nymphs and adults usually octopod (8 legs).