Giant velvet mites, the largest living are a familiar sight when they present above ground, usually after first summer rains, in warm arid areas. Despite their often-conspicuous presence enormous numbers, little is known about basic biology, life history strategies, or predators. The emergence of Dinothrombium magnificum (LeConte, 1852) southern Arizona, USA occurs rain that exceeds 1 cm. Of 17...

A new species, Dolichothrombium anatoliae sp. nov., is described based on active postlarval forms and larvae. Larvae of Dolichothrombium Feider, 1945 were obtained for the first time by experimental rearing from field-collected females. Azaritrombium Saboori, Bagheri et Haddad Irani-nejad, 2005, hitherto known exclusively from larvae, is regarded as a junior synonym of Dolichothrombium. Diagnos...