Balaustium vignae

Balaustium vignae is a species of mite belonging to the family Erythraeidae. This moderately hairy orange mite is around 1 mm in length with one pair of eyes set well back on the body. It can be distinguished from similar species by the first pair of legs being longer than the body and the lack of a suture dividing the abdomen.

Balaustium vignae
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Trombidiformes
Family:	Erythraeidae
Genus:	Balaustium
Species:	B. vignae
Binomial name
Balaustium vignae Meyer & Ryke, 1959

The adult is associated with Vicia faba whereas the nymphs are found on various grasses. It is found in the vicinity of Potchefstroom, South Africa.

References

• Nine new species of the superfamily Erythraeoidea (Acarina: Trombidiformes) associated with plants in South Africa, Magdalena K.P. Meyer & P.A.J. Ryke, Acarologia I