Mesostigmata 91 



Genera: 



1. /p/?/op5/5 Berlese, 1882 



Type. Iphis mirabilis Berlese, 1882 



2. Berlesia Canestrini, 1884 



Type. Berlesia rapcix Canestrini, 1884 



3. Jacobsonia Berlese, 1910 



Type. Iphiopsis {Greeniella) submollis Berlese, 1910 

 {Iphis homonym of Iphis Meigen, 1800 and 

 Greeniella homonym of Greeniella Cockerell, 1897) 



Discussion: Iphiopsids are parasites or commensals of insects and 

 myriopods. They are of no known economic or medical importance. 



Reference: 



Vitzthum, H. G. 1931. Eine afrikanische Jacobsonia (Acari). Zool. Anz. 

 96:153-159. 



Laelaptidae Berlese, 1892 



Figures 67, 68 



Diagnosis: Laelaptids have two tines on the specialized seta on the 

 palpal tarsus. The epigynial plate is drop-shaped or excavated pos- 

 teriorly and the peritreme is elongated. Most species have pretarsi, 

 caruncles, and claws on all legs. The dorsal plate is undivided. Coxa ii 

 has a toothlike projection from the anterior border. 



The family Laelaptidae as here restricted still includes a large num- 

 ber of fairly diverse genera. Vitzthum 1941 includes in the Laelaptidae 

 thirteen subfamilies. He was justified in this treatment because of the 

 confusion that existed concerning the limits of the subfamilies. While 

 this confusion still exists, some recent papers have added light to the 

 subject and nine of the subfamilies (Railliettidae — Laelaptidae) have 

 been raised to familial rank and the subfamily Podocininae is included 

 in the Phytoseiidae. The separations between the families in many 

 cases is still not completely clear. There remain in the Laelaptidae 

 three subfamilies. The group of genera here included in the Laelap- 

 tidae requires a thorough revision and the following grouping follows 

 Vitzthum 1941 in most cases and is admittedly unsatisfactory. Much 

 study over a long period of time by many investigators must be under- 

 taken before a satisfactory classification of this group of mites is 

 achieved. The following key will separate most of the species into 

 their proper subfamilies. 



