To which class do mites belong?

Mites are classified within the class Arachnida. This class also includes spiders, scorpions, and ticks. Mites are characterized by having eight legs (as opposed to the six legs that insects have), and they lack the metamorphic life cycle that is typical of insects. Arachnids, including mites, also have a body that is divided into two main segments: the cephalothorax and the abdomen.

The classification within Arthropoda, which is a broader phylum, encompasses both insects and arachnids, but specifically identifying mites as part of Arachnida highlights their unique characteristics and relationships within the arachnid family. Understanding the distinctions among these classifications is crucial for pest control operators, as it informs them about the biology and behavior of the pests they may encounter in their work.