| abstract | The cosmopolitan predatory mite genus Lasioseius is described morphologically and taxonomically. Aspects of the biology and ecology of the species are explained. Lasioseius Berlese belongs to the family Podocinidae Berlese, 1916, which includes the closely related genera Hoploseius Berlese, Andregamasus Costa, Aceodromus Muma, Podocinum Berlese, Podocinella Evans & Hyatt, Neojordensia Evans, and Aceoseius Sellnick. The genus Lasioseius is divided into 5 subgenera: Lasioseius s. str., Borinquolaelaps Fox, 1946 n. comb., Crinidens Karg, 1980 n. comb., Cuspiacus n. subgen., and Endopodalius n. subgen. Keys to sub-genera and to the 156 species are presented. 13 new species from rain forests of Ecuador are described. All species are illustrated with regard to species-specific characters. |