Acarina facts for kids

Rust mite Aceria anthocoptes

Adult deer tick

The Acarina, also known as Acari, are a group of tiny creatures that include mites and ticks. They are a special type of Arachnids, just like spiders and scorpions.

These amazing creatures have been around for a very long time. Their oldest fossils date back to the Devonian era, which was millions of years ago! Most acarines are super small, often less than a millimetre in size. Scientists have found and named over 50,000 different kinds of mites and ticks. However, they believe there might be a million or even more species living on Earth right now. The study of these tiny animals is called acarology.

Acarines live almost everywhere you can imagine. You can find them in nearly every habitat, from fresh water and oceans to dry land. They are especially common in soil and detritus (decaying matter), often outnumbering other arthropods there. Many acarines are parasites, meaning they live on or in other animals, like vertebrates (animals with backbones) and invertebrates (animals without backbones). Most parasites live on the outside of their hosts.

Other acarines are predators, hunting and eating other small creatures. Some of these helpful predators are even used to control pests. Some mites also help break down dead leaves and other organic matter, like old skin cells. But not all mites are helpful. Some are herbivorous, meaning they eat plants. These plant-eating mites can cause a lot of damage to crops, especially spider mites and gall mites.

Some parasitic mites and ticks can affect humans and other mammals. They can cause problems by feeding on them. Ticks can also carry diseases, acting as vectors. For example, they can spread diseases like scrub typhus. Mites can also cause allergies in humans, leading to problems like asthma. On the bright side, some predatory mites are used in pest control to get rid of harmful insects. Also, some plant-eating mites are used to control weeds. Overall, mites and ticks play important roles in ecosystems, especially in breaking down dead materials.

What are Mites?

Mites parasitising a harvestman

Mites are a very successful group of tiny animals with many different species. They are among the most varied and widespread of all invertebrates. Because most mites are so small (many are microscopic), people often don't even notice them.

Mites have adapted to many different habitats. Many live freely in the soil or in water. However, a large number of mite species live as parasites on plants or animals. Some mites even feed on mould (fungi).

What are Ticks?

Ticks are a type of blood-sucking parasite. They mostly feed on the blood of mammals and birds. Ticks usually wait on grass or bushes. When an animal passes by, they jump onto it.

Some birds, like the Cattle Egret and the Oxpecker, are known for picking ticks off larger animals. Ticks can be serious pests and are often hard to get rid of. They can also carry diseases, such as Lyme disease, which they can spread to animals and humans.

Related pages

• Chigger
• Lyme disease

Images for kids

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  The microscopic mite Lorryia formosa (Tydeidae)

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  Mite, cf Glaesacarus rhombeus, fossilised in Baltic amber, from the Upper Eocene period.

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  Lime nail galls on Tilia × europaea, caused by the mite Eriophyes tiliae

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  Public health worker Stefania Lanzia using a scabies mite to teach people about scabies.

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  Mites and their eggs, drawn by Robert Hooke in his book Micrographia in 1665.

See also

In Spanish: Acari para Niños para niños