''Androlaelaps casalis'', formerly known as ''Haemolaelaps casalis'', is a species of predatory

mite Mites are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods) of two large orders, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari. However, most recent genetic analyses do not recover the two as eac ...

that feeds on other mites and small invertebrates. It cannot bite or sting birds and humans because its mandibles are not designed for sucking but for predation on other mites. Because ''Androlaelaps casalis'' mites feed off parasitic mites like ''

Dermanyssus gallinae ''Dermanyssus gallinae'' (also known as the red mite) is a haematophagous ectoparasite of poultry. It has been implicated as a vector of several major pathogenic diseases. Despite its common names, it has a wide range of hosts including severa ...

'', individuals with red colored abdomens can be found. This is not due to any blood-sucking by ''A. casalis'' but is because it has ingested blood-engorged parasitic mites. There is some evidence that it may be associated with

dermatitis Dermatitis is a term used for different types of skin inflammation, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened ...

in humans.

References

Laelapidae Animals described in 1887 {{Laelapidae-stub