Introduction:

In the classic sense of the group, oribatid mites (also called beetle mites, armoured mites, or moss mites) comprise more than 9,000 named species (Schatz, 2002, 2005; Subías, 2004) representing 172 families. Although many are arboreal and a few are aquatic, most oribatid mites inhabit the soil-litter system. They are often the dominant arthropod group in highly organic soils of temperate forests, where 100–150 species may have collective densities exceeding 100,000m–2 (Norton & Behan-Pelletier, 2009).

A useful introduction to British oribatid taxonomy and history in general can be found in Monson (2011).

Unless otherwise stated, the superfamily and family organisation are in accordance with Schatz et al (2011) and lower level taxonomy is in accordance with Weigmann (2006).

Each species is followed by a list of sites indicating where it was found etc. in its respective vice county.

All identifications are by the Author unless otherwise stated.

Two sites listed had a previous history of published records namely Delamere Forest and Wybunbury Moss (both from Cheshire) prior to the recent collections of Monson (Delamere Forest) and National Museums Liverpool (NML) (Wybunbury Moss) which are listed below.

The prime aim of this new checklist (though limited to three vice counties namely VC58, VC59 and VC60) is to provide a useful tool for those who follow in the pursuit and fascinating study of oribatid mites in Lancashire and Cheshire and elsewhere.

A new GB Checklist covering England, Scotland and Wales is in prep by the Author.

This present article is the result of a continuing personal familiarisation with the British Acari.

Published July 2019