Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 19, 2026

Cheyletidae

Cheyletidae is a family of mites in the order Trombidiformes. Some Cheyletiella spp. are parasites of mammals, causing cheyletiellosis or "walking dandruff". Others are free-ranging predators which can be found in soil, forest litter, animal nests, and house dust, under tree bark, and on foliage. Cheyletids may occur in corpses, where they feed on other mites and on nematodes.

Last revised
Jul 19, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
268 w
Citations
5
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Cheyletidae
Temporal range:
"Cheyletiella" sp.
Cheyletiella sp.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Trombidiformes
Superfamily: Cheyletoidea
Family: Cheyletidae
Leach, 1815
Genera
Diversity
c. 80 genera, > 500 species

Cheyletidae is a family of mites in the order Trombidiformes. Some Cheyletiella spp. are parasites of mammals, causing cheyletiellosis or "walking dandruff".2 Others are free-ranging predators which can be found in soil, forest litter, animal nests, and house dust, under tree bark, and on foliage.3 Cheyletids may occur in corpses, where they feed on other mites and on nematodes.4

Description

Cheyletidae have short stylet-like chelicerae and large pincer-like palps. The palp tarsus is short and usually bears comb-like and sickle-like setae, and is located on the posterior part of the palp tibia. The palp tibia has a strong claw which extends beyond the palp tarsus. The body may have zero, one or multiple dorsal plates.5

  • Cheletophyes torridae
    Cheletophyes torridae
  • Nodele conquistador on bee Aztecanthidium tenochtitlanicum
    Nodele conquistador on bee Aztecanthidium tenochtitlanicum
References

References

  1. Xia, B., Klompen, H., & Childers, C.C. (2011). "A new genus and species of Cheyletidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) from citrus trees in Florida." Zootaxa 2796: 29-36.
  2. "Cheyletiellosis in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals". Vca. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
  3. "Family Cheyletidae Leach, 1815". insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
  4. Goff, M. Lee (2009), "Forensic Entomology", Encyclopedia of Insects, Elsevier, pp. 381–386, doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-374144-8.00112-0, ISBN 978-0-12-374144-8, retrieved 2025-12-17
  5. Baker, Edward W.; Baker, Edward W. (1949). "A review of the mites of the family Cheyletidae in the United States National Museum". Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 99: 267––320. doi:10.5479/si.00963801.99-3238.267.
External links