First record of the phoretic association between Pediculaster sp. (Pygmephoridae) mites and Musca crassirostris (Muscidae) flies in India

This article reports for the first time a phoretic pygmephorid mite on a muscid fly from India, with pygmephorid mites classified under the order Prostigmata and the family Pygmephoridae. The mites, identified as species of the genus Pediculaster belonging to the family Pygmephoridae, were collected in July 2019 from Khajjiar town, located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The flies, identified as Musca crassirostris belonging to the family Muscidae, were also noted. While this study marks a significant step in Indian research, further investigation is warranted to comprehensively compile data on the species accuracy of mites and their habitat preferences.