Revision of the larvae of the Microtrombidiinae (Acarina: Microtrombidiidae), with notes and life histories

The generic classification of the larvae of the subfamily Microtrombidiinae (one of two families of Microtrombidiidae THOR, the other being Eurombidiinae THOR) is reviewed on a world basis. The larvae of the Trombidioidea are so heteromorphic to the deutonymphs and adults that in many cases the larvae and the post-larval mobile instars have been given different names. In this revision 34 valid genera are considered for the larvae, of which 14 have been correlated with the adults/deutonymphs, from rearing studies form adults to larvae, or larvae to deutonymphs, which closely resemble adults. Of the genera defined, 15 are new. Seven new species are described, six from Australia, and one from South America; eight earlier known species are redescribed for larvae, and in some cases, other instars (seven Australian, one Central American). General biological observations on the various instars of Australian species are included.