Leptus Latreille, 1796

Laydanowicz, Joanna & Mąkol, Joanna, 2010, Correlation of heteromorphic life instars in terrestrial Parasitengona mites and its impact on taxonomy - the case of Leptus molochinus (C. L. Koch, 1837) and Leptus ignotus (Oudemans, 1903) (Acari: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata: Erythraeidae), Journal of Natural History 44 (11 - 12), pp. 669-697 : 671-672

Leptus Latreille, 1796

For synonyms see Southcott (1961, 1992).

Type species: Acarus phalangii de Geer, 1778 .

Diagnosis

Adult and deutonymph. Body densely covered with setae, brownish or maroon in colour, sometimes with lighter spots on idiosoma dorsum. Crista metopica with anterior and posterior sensillary area, each bearing one pair of trichobothria. One pair of circular eyes, each composed of single lens, located at the level of anterior half of crista metopica. Dorsal idiosomal setae stout, with digit-like projections, scales, splinters or setules outgoing from the main stem. Palp genu almost parallel-sided.

Larva. Scutum triangular in outline, widest at its anterior part and truncated at all angles, with two pairs of trichobothria and two pairs of non-sensillary setae. One pair of sensillae in anterior position, the other one close to the posterior margin of scutum, both covered with setules. The first pair of non-sensillary setae located close to the level of anterior sensillae, the next one close to the posterior margin of scutum. One pair of circular eyes, placed laterally to scutum, at the level of posterior sensillae or posterolaterally to scutum. Leg segmentation formula: 7-7-7. Coxal setation formula: 1-1-1. All tarsi terminated with double claws and empodium. Anterior claw with relatively long setules, posterior claw and empodium with short setules.

Distribution

Worldwide.