First record of Poecilochirus mrciaki Mašán, 1999 (Acari, Parasitidae) and its phoretic carriers in the Iberian peninsula

Abstract

We report for the first time the presence of Poecilochirus mrciaki Mašán, 1999 in the South of Europe, in the Iberian peninsula and on new carrier insects. Mites were collected from carrion insects, during a decomposition experiment carried out in the natural park “Aiako Harria” (Errenteria, Gipuzkoa). Most deutonymphs were found on the body of the necrophagous beetle Necrodes littoralis (Coleoptera, Silphidae). Other species of insects in families Geotrupidae, Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) and Calliphoridae (Diptera) were also transporting mites. All carriers were colonising or visiting the pig carcasses. Sampling lasted 3 months in the summers 2009 and 2010. Most mites were sampled from bloat to advanced decay. This is also the first record of P. mrciaki phoretic on flies (Diptera).