Acariformes

Acariformes is a superorder of mites, one of the two major lineages within the Acari. It contains the vast majority of mite diversity. Within Acariformes, the best-supported divisions are Oribatida (beetle mites) and Prostigmata, a large and morphologically diverse group that includes many plant-associated, soil-dwelling, and animal-associated forms.

Ecologically, Acariformes mites occupy a broad range of habitats and lifestyles. Many are free-living detritivores or fungivores in soil and leaf litter; others feed on plants or prey on small invertebrates. A number have parasitic lifestyles, including species that live on animals or within human environments. Several lineages have become economically important as pests or allergens, notably household dust mites and various storage mites.

With thousands of described species, Acariformes represents the largest component of Acari. The group displays extensive morphological and ecological diversity and has a long fossil record. Taxonomic work, often incorporating molecular data, continues to refine relationships within Acariformes and its subgroups, and classifications remain subject to revision as new evidence emerges.