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The mites and ticks, order Acarina or Acari, belong to the Arachnida and are among the most diverse and successful of all the invertebrate groups, although some way behind the insects. They have
exploited an incredible array of habitats and because of their small size (some are truly microscopic) most go totally unnoticed.
Many live freely in the soil but there is also a vast array of species that live as parasites on plants or animals.
Some of the plant pests include the so-called Spider mites (family
Tetranychidae) and the Gall mites (family Eriophyidae). Among the species that attack
animals there are members of the Sarcoptic Mange mites (family
Sarcoptidae), which burrow under
the skin.
See also, Chiggers
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