| abstract | Aceosejid mites occur commonly in soil and humus where they prey on small, soft-bodied insects, mites, and worms. Before the role that these mites play in their environment can be accurately studied by ecologists, it is necessary to know the species that are being death with. There is no information in the literature on mites of the genus Arctoseius in North America. This report is primarily a taxonomic study of Arctoseius mites collected from Barrow, Alaska.
Taxonomic keys, descriptions, and illustrations are given for the seven species of Arctoseius found at Barrow. Collection data indicate ecological differences between the species and these are discussed. The importance of males for identification of species is demonstrated.
Males of the following species are described for the first time: Arctoseius multidentatus Evans, A. weberi Evans, and A. ornatus Evans.
Males and females of the following new species are described: Arctoseius minor, A. robustus, A. idiodactylus, and A. confusus. |