Mites are small arachnids historically grouped in the subclass Acari, spanning two large orders, Acariformes and Parasitiformes, though recent genetic analysis does not recover the two as each other's closest relative within Arachnida. Most mites are less than one millimeter long, with a simple, unsegmented body plan that makes them easy to overlook; some live in water, many live in soil as decomposers, others live on plants and sometimes create galls, and still others are predators or parasites, a group that includes the commercially destructive Varroa parasite of honey bees and the scabies mites of humans. Most species are harmless to people, but a few are associated with allergies or may transmit disease.
Facts
Partially Attested
Scientific NameAcari was historically used for this group, but recent genetic analyses do not recover Acariformes and Parasitiformes as each other's closest relatives, so modern classifications no longer treat Acari as a single formal taxon. Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceMost mites are tiny, less than 1 mm in length, with a simple, unsegmented body plan. 1 Sources
1. Mite - Wikipedia
Evolution and taxonomy
Mites are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods) of two large orders, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari.
Description
Most mites are tiny, less than 1 mm (0.04 in) in length, and have a simple, unsegmented body plan.
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