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We describe a new species, Pogonolaelaps termitophilus sp. nov., from specimens collected from termite nests in Iran. We clarify the identity of the genus Pogonolaelaps Nemati & Gwiazdowicz, 2016, its type species Laelaps canestrinii Berlese, 1892, and the related genus Laelaspisella Marais & Loots, 1969.

Laelaps lignicola G. & R. Canestrini, 1882 is redescribed on the basis of numerous adults and deutonymphs, collected from Italy more than a century after its description. Despite its setiform setae without a discernible asymmetric swelling, this species fits the current concept of the genus Cosmolaelaps Berlese for all remaining diagnostic characters. Males of L. lignicola and Cosmolaelaps vacuus (Michael) share the presence of a basal process bearing seta av on telefemur II. This attribute is apparently not described in other laelapid mites. Also, males of L. lignicola are similar to those of some European species of Cosmolaelaps in having a distinct masticatory ridge on the fixed digit of chelicera. The ecological preference for decaying wood microhabitats, where L. lignicola is closely associated with Lasius emarginatus (Olivier) (Hymenoptera Formicidae), also suggests a close affinity with Cosmolaelaps species. Consequently, this species is provisionally placed in Cosmolaelaps and the new combination C. lignicolus (G. & R. Canestrini, 1882) comb. nov. is proposed.

The paper deals with the species of the semenowi -lineage of the subgenus Pseudocypus Mulsant & Rey, 1876 of the genus Ocypus Leach, 1819, known to occur at present on the territory of the People’s Republic of China. Thirty three species are treated, of which twenty nine are described as new: O . ballio , O . bion , O . calamis , O . elpenor , O . glabrio , O . hecato , O . itys , O . laelaps , O . orodes , O . pammenes , O . pelias , O . quiris , O . sarpedon , O . scaevola , O . teuthras , O . vindex , O . xerxes and O . zetes , (all from Sichuan), O . palamedes (from Sichuan: Jiuding Shan), O . abaris , O . sadales and O . gorgias (all from Gansu), O . hyas (from Yunnan), O . dryas (from Xinjiang), O . zeuxis (from Hubei: Da Shennongjia range), O . neocles and O . rhinton (both from Shaanxi: Qinling Shan), O . dolon and O . menander (both from Shaanxi: Daba Shan). The lectotype is designated for Ocypus semenowi Reitter, 1887. Protocypus puer Smetana, 2005 is transferred to the subgenus Pseudocypus of Ocypus (new combination). Each species is described, illustrated and all available distributional and bionomic data are given. A key to the Chinese species of the semenowi -lineage of the subgenus Pseudocypus is given.

We provide a list of the species of the family Haemogamasidae Oudemans, 1926 living in Asiatic Russia, with data on their synonymy, distribution, and relationships with mammal hosts. In total, 23 species of mites distributed between two genera (Eulaelaps Berlese, 1903, and Haemogamasus Berlese, 1889) are covered.

Aoteasalda new genus, is described with Saldula maculipennis Cobben, 1961, as type species, resulting in the following new combination Aoteasalda maculipennis (Cobben, 1961). Kiwisaldula new genus, is described with Saldula parvula Cobben, 1961, as type species. The following new combinations are made: Kiwisaldula parvula (Cobben, 1961); Kiwisaldula butleri (White, 1878); Kiwisaldula laelaps (White, 1878); Kiwisaldula stoneri (Drake & Hoberlandt, 1950). Two species are described as new: Kiwisaldula manawatawhi new species, Kiwisaldula porangahau new species. A lectotype is designated for Salda laelaps White, 1878. The holotype of Salda butleri White, 1878, and the type series of Saldula trivialis Cobben, 1961, and Saldula maculipennis Cobben, 1961, are documented. A new synonymy is established in the genus Zemacrosaldula (valid name listed after equal sign): Saldula trivialis Cobben, 1961 = Zemacrosaldula australis (White, 1876). A revision of the taxonomy of Aoteasalda and Kiwisaldula species occurring on New Zealand’s North Island and nearby offshore islands, is presented. Morphological descriptions are provided, with illustrations emphasising the most significant diagnostic features of the external morphology and male genitalia. Information is given on synonymy, type data, material examined, geographic distribution, and biology. Species of Kiwisaldula and genera of Saldidae recognised for New Zealand, are keyed.

Cosmolaelaps Berlese, 1903 was originally described as a subgenus of Laelaps Koch. More recently, this group has been treated at the generic level or as a subgenus of Hypoaspis Canestrini, 1885. One of the objectives of the present paper is to provide a detailed characterisation of Cosmolaelaps, here considered at the generic level, a group that was poorly characterised in its original description as well as in subsequent publications. It is most closely related to Stratiolaelaps Berlese, from which it can usually be distinguished by the presence of extra paired and unpaired setae on the opisthonotal region of the dorsal shield, as well as by not having hypertrophied chelicerae or corniculi. A total of 108 species belong to Cosmolaelaps, including the new species described here. Five other species may also belong to this genus, but the available published information does not allow their conclusive placement. The Brazilian fauna of Hypoaspidinae is poorly known, but Cosmolaelaps seems to be well represented in Brazil. Thus, the second objective of this paper is to describe five new species of Cosmolaelaps from that country, namely C. barbatus sp. nov., C. busolii sp. nov., C. confinisetarum sp. nov., C. jaboticabalensis sp. nov. and C. oliveirai sp. nov.