Smooth-floored asetose pits on the pronotum and elytra of adult longicorn beetles, Lagocheirus araneiformis stroheckeri, are used for dispersal by Schwiebea sp. phoretic mites anchored in them with caudo-ventral suckers. Manifest suitability of the pits for transporting these mites, demonstrated by dimensions, shape, surface structure and a high occupancy rate connotes a beetle/mite mutualism, supported by their congruent life histories.
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1 September 2008
Phoretic Deutonymphs of Schwiebea sp. (Acari: Astigmata: Acaridae) Travel in Commodious Nitid Dorsal Pits of Adult Lagocheirus araneiformis stroheckeri Dillon (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) in Florida, U.S.A.
Foster Forbes Purrington,
Cathy J. Drake
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Acaridae
deutonymphs
longicorn beetles
mites
phoresy
Schwiebea