MM219999

The Mideopsidae is a family of water mites in the superfamily Arrenuroidea. In Australia there are five genera in four subfamilies.

The subfamily Gretacarinae is represented in Australia by the genus Gretacarus (11 spp., Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas and new records from the NT (HCP)). Gretacarus species differ from other mideopsids in having this combination of characters: palp tibia (penultimate segment) with a large, robust seta set in an anteriorly directed protuberance; numerous pairs of acetabula set in several rows.

Gretacarus species occur in both standing and running water, typically in surficial substrates.

References

Cook, D.R. 1986. Water mites from Australia. Mem. Amer. Ent. Inst. 40: 1-568.

Harvey, M.S. 1998. The Australian Water Mites: a Guide to Families and Genera. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Vic.