The mesostigmatic mites associated with Copris hispanus (L.) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) in Israel

Works dealing with the association of searabaeid beetles and mesostigmatic mites are shortly reviewed. In the present paper the mite fauna of 106 specimens of Copris hispanus (Scarabaeidae) is investigated. A total of 3732 mites was collected, belonging to 17 species (10 genera, 6 families). The following species are described (or redescribed) and figured: Parasitus coleoptratorum (L.) Berlese, 1906; Parasitus copridis n. sp.; Parasitus hypersetosus n. sp,; Pachylaelaps hispani Berlese, 1908; Proctolaelaps parascolyti n. sp.; Alliphis halleri (G. & R. Can., 1881); Alliphis gurei n. sp. The degree of specifity of the mite-beetle association is discussed. It is suggested that there is some relation between the social organization of the beetles and the degree of mite infestation, comparable to the mite-hymenoptera association.