Abstract
Mites (Acari) associated with the seed harvester antMessor pergandeiwere investigated in the Sonoran desert of Arizona. At least seven representatives of the mite generaArmacarus, Lemanniella, Petalomium, Forcellinia, Histiostoma, Unguidispus, andCosmoglyphusare phoretically associated withM. pergandei. Most of these morphospecies show preference for specific phoretic attachment sites and primarily use female alates rather than male alates for dispersal. Five mite morphospecies were found in low numbers inhabiting the chaff piles: Tydeidae sp.,Procaeculussp., Anystidae sp.,Bakerdaniasp., and Tetranychidae sp. The phoreticPetalomiumsp. was observed consuming fungus growing on a dead queen, but the roles of the other mite species remain mostly unresolved.
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