A mite is an arthropod belonging to a group of insects called ACARINA. It may be parasitic or free-living. Most mites are less than 1 mm long and medically signi?cant ones include those that cause DERMATITIS (dermatophagoides) and the harvest mite, which transmits scrub typhus (see under TYPHUS FEVER).... mites
n. a free-living or parasitic arthropod belonging to a group (Acarina) that also includes the *ticks. Most mites are small, averaging 1 mm or less in length. A mite has no antennae or wings, and its body is not divided into a distinct head, thorax, and abdomen. Medically important mites include the many species causing dermatitis (e.g. Dermatophagoides) and the harvest mite (see Trombicula), which transmits scrub typhus.... mite
n. a bloodsucking parasite belonging to the order of arthropods (the Acarina) that also includes the *mites. Tick bites can cause serious skin lesions and occasionally paralysis (see Ixodes; Amblyomma), and certain tick species transmit *typhus, *Lyme disease, and *relapsing fever. Diethyltoluamide (DEET) is used as a tick repellent. There are two families: Argasidae (soft ticks), which includes Ornithodoros, with mouthparts invisible from above and no hard shield (scutum) on the dorsal surface; and Ixodidae (hard ticks), including Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, and Rhipicephalus, with clearly visible mouthparts and a definite scutum.... tick
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