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Research history of the taxonomy, morphology, biology and ecology of the Psoroptidia in China until 31 Dec 2009 was summarized. A checklist of 70 species, 1 subspecies and 11 varieties, in 49 genera of 20 families and a checklist of mites unidentified to species of 8 families are provided.

Many regard the Pteronyssidae as a subfamily of Avenzoariidae Oudemans, 1905, but Mironov (2001) recently recognized the group as a family, based on the unique character of a ventral membrane on tarsi I, and other distinguishing features of the Pteronyssinae Oudemans, 1941 (vide: Gaud & Atyeo 1996) and the specificity their host associations. To date, 140 species in 23 genera are described (Mironov 2001, 2005). The genus Timalinyssus was established by Mironov (2001) to accommodate two species collected from babblers (Passeriformes: Timaliidae). It is closely related to Mouchetia Gaud but differs in the following characters: prodorsal shield is fused with the scapular shields, c2 setiform and short in both sexes; tarsi III are cone-like with acute apex in male; opisthosomal lobes are long and separated by narrow terminal cleft in female (Gaud & Atyeo 1996; Mironov 2001).

Three new species of the genus Passeroptes (Acariformes: Dermationidae) are described from passerine birds (Passeriformes) in China: Passeroptes formosus sp. nov. from Garrulax formosus formosus (Verreaux) (Guizhou), P. poecilorhynchus sp. nov. from Garrulax poecilorhynchus berthemyi (David and Oustalet) (Guizhou), and P. picae sp. nov. from Pica pica sericea Gould (Henan). Passeroptes garrulax is redescribed from Garrulax poecilorhynchus berthemyi in Guizhou.

Five new species of the feather mite genus Passeroptes (Acariformes: Dermationidae) are recorded from birds of the order Passeriformes in China: P. lioparis sp. nov. from Chrysotus chrysotis (Blyth) (Paradoxornithidae); P. motacillae sp. nov. from Motacilla cinerea Tunstall (Motacillidae); P. cyanodermae sp. nov. from Cyanoderma ruficeps Blyth (Timaliidae); P. periparus sp. nov. from Periparus ater (Linnaeus) (Paridae); P. aegithalos sp. nov. from Aegithalos iouschistos bonvaloti (Oustalet) (Aegithalidae).

Two new species of the feather mite genus Neocalcealges Orwig 1968 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae) are described from passerine birds (Passeriformes) from the Sichuan province of China: Neocalcealges davidi sp. nov. from Alcippe davidi Styan (Leiothrichidae) and N. chrysotis sp. nov. from Lioparus chrysotis (Blyth) (Paradoxornithidae). We provide a key to all described species of Neocalcealges.

The development, survival, and reproduction of Euseius nicholsi (Ehara & Lee) (Acari: Phytoselidae), an important and rapacious predatory mite that feeds on Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval), were evaluated at six constant temperatures between 19°C and 32°C. The temperature range 22°C to 28°C was found to be optimal for development and reproduction of the mites. Both were significantly impaired at temperatures higher than 28°C. At 30°C and 32°C, survival rates were significantly reduced. At all temperatures, the egg incubation period was the longest developmental stage, accounting for 40% to 45% of total development time. The sex ratios (female:male) of the offspring at the six temperatures (19, 22, 25, 28, 30 and 32°C) were 1.46:1, 1.35:1, 1.32:1, 1.52:1, 1.65:1 and 1.71:1, respectively. The lowest sex ratio occurred at 25°C, suggesting that this was the natural temperature for this species. At 25°C and 28°C, the population doubling times of E. nicholsi were 4.27 d and 3.13 d, respectively, indicating that these were appropriate temperatures for population growth. We conclude that the optimal temperature range for the development of E. nicholsi was 22°C to 28°C and that the most suitable temperature for both development and reproduction of the mites was 25°C.