Penthaleus is a genus of earth mites in the family of Penthaleidae, first described by Carl Ludwig Koch in 1835. Members of this genus are found on every continent except Antarctica.
They are a major winter pest of a variety of crops and pastures in southern Australia.
Description
Members of Penthaleus can be easily distinguished from other genera within Penthaleidae by the dorsal position of the anus which is surrounded by a distinctive red patch on the otherwise blue-black idiosoma. They often also have red patches near the base of the gnathosoma, and at the anterior of the dorsal idiosoma. Like other genera within Penthaleidae, these mites have solid red legs.
↑Halliday, R. B. (2005). "Systematics and biology of Penthaleus tectus sp. n.(Acari: Penthaleidae), a recently discovered pest of grain crops in eastern Australia". Australian Journal of Entomology. 44 (2): 144–149.
