Abstract
We report on a collection of mites in the family Laelapidae associated with scarabaeid beetles in Iran. Five known species are recorded from Iran for the first time: Coleolaelaps asiaticus Karg, 1999, Hypoaspis integer Berlese, 1911, Hypoaspis pentodoni Costa, 1971, Hypoaspisphyllognathi Costa, 1971, and Hypoaspis terrestris (Leonardi, 1899). Four new species are described: Coleolaelaps costal sp. nov., Hypoaspis larvicolus sp. nov., Hypoaspis maryamae sp. nov., and Hypoaspis melolonthae sp. nov. Theecological relationship between these mites and their beetle hosts has not been analysed in detail, but they probably do not play a major role as biological control agents of pest scarabs.
NSTL