What is a Mite?
The mites and ticks, order Acarina or Acari, belong to the Arachnida and are among the most diverse and successful of all the invertebrate groups, although some way behind the insects. They have exploited an incredible array of habitats and because of their small size (some are truly microscopic) most go totally unnoticed. Many live freely in the soil, but there is also a vast array of species that live as parasites on plants or animals. A tiny insect, as in many allergies are caused by the common dust mite.
