The food of Riccardoella limacum (Schrank) — Acari-Trombidiformes and its relationship with pulmonate molluscs

Summary

Knowledge of the anatomy and contents of the alimentary canal of R. limacum was obtained by using transverse and longitudinal sections of adult mites. Histological and histochemical techniques revealed the absence of slug mucus and the presence of slug amoebocytes in the gut caeca of the mite. The evidence available supports the contention that the slug mite is a blood feeder and obtains this food by producing a feeding tube or ‘stylostome’ in the tissues of its host.