Tuckerella Temporal range:
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False-colour scanning elecron micrograph of Tuckerella sp., magnified 260 times | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Trombidiformes |
Superfamily: | Tetranychoidea |
Family: |
Tuckerellidae Baker & Pritchard, 1953 |
Genus: |
Tuckerella Womersley, 1940 |
The peacock mites of the genus Tuckerella ( the only genus of the mite family Tuckerellidae) are a significant herbivorous pest in the tropics, for example on citrus fruit. Other species dwell in grasses, possibly as root feeders. [1]
The peacock mite's name suggests that their feather-like (or leaf-like) setae [1] adorning their backs are evocative of a peacock's plumage. [2] They also have long hair-like setae projecting from rear ( caudal setae) [3] that have been compared to a trailing peacock tail. [1] The 5–7 pairs of caudal setae can be flicked over the body very quickly, [1] so they are used like whips in defense against predators. [2] They may also help in wind-borne dispersal. [2]
They are classified in the superfamily Tetranychoidea, [4] being its most ornate members. [1]