MM019999

The Hydrachnidae is the sole family in the superfamily Hydrachnoidea. It is represented in Australia by the genus Hydrachna (12 spp., Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas, WA and other records from the NT (HCP)).

Hydrachna species are very distinctive, being large, red or crimson, globular mites. They typically have one or a pair of plates between their widely spaced eye capsules. Their long stylet-like chelicerae are housed in a downturned rostrum.

Hydrachna species occur in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams. Their larvae are often seen attached to the legs and wing-covers of aquatic Hemiptera.

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.