REVIEW OF PARASITIC ASSOCIATIONS OF LARVAL WATER MITES (ACARI: PARASITENGONA: HYDRACHNIDA) WITH INSECT HOSTS

Abstract

AbstractHistorical and recently published information on the parasitic associations of larval water mites with insect hosts is critically reviewed and summarized. A number of problematical published host records are either confirmed or rejected, and many newly discovered associations are reported. Associations of parasitic larvae with insect hosts are confirmed for species of water mites representing 70 of the nearly 300 described genera, in 28 of the 45 currently recognized families, and all 7 superfamilies. Life history, behavioral, ecological, and phylogenetic data on water mites of genera with known larvae are summarized to provide the basis for interpreting the evolutionary significance of observed host associations. Previously established hypotheses are evaluated in the light of a greatly expanded list of verified observations.