Even the trained specialists who knew arthropods underestimated the wealth of mite species and their importance in nature. Acarines have been known as pests since the 9th century B.C. where Homer refers to ticks. Their biological diversity is impressive. To see for yourself just pick up a handful of organic soil and examine it under a dissecting microscope or good magnifying glass where you will find mite specimens of different shapes, sizes and activity. Fresh water streams, ponds, lakes and even hot springs have their own mite faunas.
Some mites hitch a ride on other arthropods.
The Madagascan hissing cockroach common to zoos, classrooms and laboratories has a visible mite that exists solely on these hosts, causing them no harm. Most of us, especially if you are an adult, carry follicle mites in our facial pores. Mites make some of us sneeze. About 5 percent of the population have allergies to dust mite feces and their cast skins. Mites even invade the internal organs of humans, other vertebrates and invertebrates.