Yellow Predatory Mite
Zetzellia mali
This record describes Zetzellia mali (species). Recorded family: Stigmaeidae. Recorded order: Trombidiformes.
Identification and Appearance
Bright yellow, its gut visibly reddish after feeding. a predatory mite; feeds on other mites.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Trombidiformes
- Suborder
- Prostigmata
- Superfamily
- Raphignathoidea
- Family
- Stigmaeidae
- Genus
- Zetzellia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Apple orchards
Geographic Range
Throughout US
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Apple rust mite, European red mite, and two-spotted spider mite.
Life History
About four life cycles a year. Overwinters as mated female in crevices and under bark.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: author: Ewing
About Mites: the wider group
Order-level background for Trombidiformes, the group containing Zetzellia mali. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Trombidiformes includes ~26,000 described species of mites including velvet mites, chiggers, and spider mites. Spider mites (Tetranychidae) are among the most destructive agricultural pests worldwide.
Ecological role of the group
Velvet mites are important soil predators. Chigger larvae are parasitic on vertebrates and can cause intense itching (trombidiosis). Some mite species are used as biological control agents against pest mites in agriculture.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Spider mites cause billions of dollars in crop damage globally, affecting over 1,100 plant species. The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) has developed resistance to more pesticides than any other arthropod.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, agricultural pest management research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Yellow Predatory Mite (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow Predatory Mite
What is Yellow Predatory Mite?
Yellow Predatory Mite (Zetzellia mali) is a species in the family Stigmaeidae, within the order Trombidiformes.
How do you identify Yellow Predatory Mite?
Bright yellow, its gut visibly reddish after feeding.
Where is Yellow Predatory Mite found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Apple orchards |
| Range | Throughout US |
What does Yellow Predatory Mite eat?
The diet of the Yellow Predatory Mite includes Apple rust mite, European red mite, and two-spotted spider mite..
What is the life cycle of a Yellow Predatory Mite?
About four life cycles a year. Overwinters as mated female in crevices and under bark.