Scanning Electron Microscopy studies of phoretic mite Parasitus heliocopridis Oudemans, 1910 associated with Heliocopris midas & Onitis philemon

Key Points

• To report the association of Parasitus heliocopridis with Heliocopris midas and Onitis philemon and provide detailed morphological observations.
• Utilized scanning electron microscopy to examine the morphology of Parasitus heliocopridis.
• Conducted morphometric analyses of the mite species in relation to associated beetles.
• Located the study in Maharashtra, India.
• First report of Parasitus heliocopridis associated with Heliocopris midas and Onitis philemon.
• Provided detailed scanning electron micrographs of the mite species.
• Morphometric data were collected to support the identification of the mite.