Genus Astrida Fain, 1955

Astrida Fain, 1955b: 696, 1957a: 251, 1958b: 178, 1962a: 9, 1963b: 373. Type species: Astrida caprimulgi Fain, 1955 by original designation.

Diagnosis. Palps with 2 (subgen. CerylOnyssus Fain and Aitken, 1970) or 3 (subgen. Astrida Fain, 1955) segments. Hypostome with 2 pairs of setae. Propodonotal shield present. Propodonotal region with 4 (ve and se absent— CerylOnyssus) or 6 ( Astrida) pairs of setae. Hysteronotal region with 5 pairs of setae (h2 absent). Genital series with 3 pairs of setae. Each agenital and pseudanal series with 2 pairs of setae. Setae 1a, 3a and 4a present. Number of leg setae: coxae 2–1–1–1 ( Astrida) or 1–1–1–1 ( CerylOnyssus), trochanters 1–1–0–0, femora 7–4–3–4 ( Astrida) or 5–3–3–2 ( CerylOnyssus), genua 4–4–3–3, tibiae 5–3–3–3. Setae situated in anterior part of tarsi I–IV normally developed.

Remarks. Species of this genus are associated with birds of the orders Caprimulgiformes, Coraciiformes, and Strigiformes, and they have been recorded in the Afrotropical, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions (Fain 1955b, 1956b, 1963c; Fain & Aitken 1970; Pence 1973b). The Afrotropical fauna comprises one of the two described species in this genus: Astrida caprimulgi Fain, 1955 .