Chemical ecology of astigmatid mites

Astigmatid mites form a suborder of the Acari, in the class Arachnida. Adult astigmatid mites are mostly oval or rod-like, less than 1 mm in length, and are opaque or transparent. Some species are economically important pests that attack a wide range of stored products and agricultural crops in fields and greenhouses. Others are common components of “house dust” and may contribute to health problems, causing atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. Most species, together with species in the suborder Oribatida, also function as scavengers of organic debris.